Signed, As A Contract Crossword Clue

By: Five Letter Words | Last edited: Apr 24, 2025

Are you trying to solve the challenging "Signed, as a contract" crossword clue featured in the Apr 24, 2025 New York Times Mini puzzle? We've done the hard work and pinpointed the precise 5-letter answer you're looking for. If you'd prefer a more interactive puzzle-solving experience, we've developed helpful features to enhance your journey. Use our letter-by-letter reveal tool to uncover the solution at your own pace, or check out our specially crafted hints—such as anagrams, related clues with matching answers, or comprehensive definitions to guide your thinking. We've also streamlined navigation between connected clues from the same puzzle, making it simple to tackle multiple clues efficiently. Ready to boost your crossword solving skills? Let's explore this legal terminology solution!

Crossword Answer:

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About This Clue

The April 24, 2025 New York Times Mini Crossword featured the clue "Signed, as a contract" with the answer INKED. This clue refers to the traditional method of finalizing a legal agreement by applying one's signature with ink to the document. While digital signatures are increasingly common in our modern age, the term "inked" persists in our language as a way to describe the execution of contracts and other legal documents. The clue uses the past tense "signed" to indicate that the answer should also be in past tense, leading solvers to INKED rather than alternatives like SIGNS or INKING. The phrase "as a contract" helps narrow the context to formal document execution, distinguishing this use of INKED from other meanings such as getting a tattoo or writing with pen and ink.

Legal Document Execution

The act of signing—or "inking"—a contract has significant legal implications. When a person signs a contract, they are formally indicating their agreement to the terms and conditions outlined in the document. This signature serves as evidence of the signatory's consent and intent to be bound by the contract's provisions. Traditionally, contracts were signed in ink on paper, with blue or black ink being the standard colors used for official documents. In many jurisdictions, a valid signature can take various forms, including a person's name written by hand, initials, a mark (such as an "X"), or even a rubber stamp—as long as it is applied with the intent to authenticate the document. While electronic signatures have gained legal recognition in many countries through legislation like the Electronic Signatures in Global and National Commerce Act (ESIGN) in the United States and the eIDAS Regulation in the European Union, the verb "inked" remains a common metaphor for completing a deal or finalizing an agreement. This enduring terminology reflects the historical importance of pen-and-ink signatures in legal traditions spanning centuries.

NYT Mini Crossword Tips

When solving business and legal terminology clues like "Signed, as a contract" in the NYT Mini Crossword, focus on common informal expressions and verbs related to the given context. The NYT Mini frequently uses colloquial or idiomatic phrases rather than strictly technical legal terms. In this case, "inked" is a somewhat casual way to refer to signing documents, making it a perfect fit for the puzzle's conversational style. Pay attention to verb tense in the clue—here, "signed" is past tense, suggesting the answer will also be past tense (INKED rather than SIGN). The Mini Crossword often employs wordplay and multiple meanings, so consider whether terms might have both literal and figurative interpretations. For legal-themed clues, familiarity with common contract terminology, courtroom language, and business jargon can be helpful. With its 5×5 grid format, the Mini Crossword typically features straightforward, accessible vocabulary rather than obscure legal terms, so when you see clues about contracts, agreements, or legal matters, think of the most common words first before considering specialized terminology.

Related Crossword Answers

More Clues & Answers For The New York Times Mini (April 24, 2025)

ACROSS

• 1. Tiny cotton swab
• 5. Leaves on the stove too long
• 6. They're used to hunt and peck
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DOWN

• 1. Word pronounced like its first letter (which is followed by four vowels)
• 2. Feature of an extravagant wedding dress
• 3. Signed, as a contract
• 4. Verbal alternative to a tap on the shoulder
• 5. Some backyard parties, for short