brood crossword – All Crossword Answers
Welcome to Crosswordanswer.co.uk! If you're looking for solutions to the clue "brood crossword", you've come to the right place. We provide a comprehensive list of answers, categorized by their letter count, along with clear explanations to help you complete your puzzle and deepen your understanding of this versatile word.
Solutions for "brood crossword" by Letter Count
4 Letters
SULK: To be silently angry or resentful, a common interpretation of 'brood' when one is withdrawn in thought.
MUSE: To think about something carefully and thoroughly, often in a pensive or somber way, aligning with the reflective aspect of 'brood'.
5 Letters
HATCH: To sit on eggs so as to make them develop and produce young; this directly relates to the biological meaning of a bird 'brooding' its eggs.
DWELL: To think or speak at length about a particular subject, especially one that causes unhappiness or anxiety (often used with 'on' or 'over'), strongly synonymous with 'brood'.
6 Letters
PONDER: To think about something carefully, especially before making a decision or reaching a conclusion. This captures the deep, often prolonged thought implied by 'brood'.
9 Letters
OFFSPRING: The young of an animal or a person's child or children. This refers to the noun form of 'brood', meaning a family of young.
More About "brood crossword"
The word "brood" is fascinating in crosswords because of its multiple meanings, which can lead to various answers depending on the context of the clue. As a verb, it most commonly refers to deep, often gloomy or anxious thought, prompting answers like SULK, MUSE, PONDER, or DWELL. This mental state is about intense reflection, sometimes verging on preoccupation.
However, "brood" also has a significant biological meaning: for birds, it means to sit on eggs to hatch them, or to protect their young. This meaning is perfectly captured by answers such as HATCH. Furthermore, "brood" can function as a noun, referring to a family of young animals or even children. In this context, solutions like OFFSPRING become highly relevant.
Understanding these different facets of "brood" is crucial for cracking the crossword clue. Always consider whether the clue hints at a verb (an action of thinking or incubating) or a noun (a group of young ones) to pinpoint the correct solution length and meaning.
Tips For Your Next Puzzle
- Analyze the Part of Speech: For a clue like "brood," determine if it's used as a verb (e.g., "To brood over worries") or a noun (e.g., "A hen's brood"). This instantly narrows down potential answers.
- Check Surrounding Clues: Sometimes, the letters you get from intersecting words can give you a vital hint about the length or a specific letter for "brood," guiding you towards SULK or PONDER, for example.
- Consider Nuance: While 'brood' generally means deep thought, clues might specify a negative emotion (sullenness, worry) or a more neutral one (pondering). Pay attention to these subtle differences.
- Think Beyond the Obvious: Crossword setters love to use words with multiple meanings. If your first thought doesn't fit, consider the lesser-known definitions of the word.
For more advice, visit our page on general crossword strategies.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the different meanings of 'brood' in crosswords?
The word 'brood' can refer to several concepts in crosswords: to think deeply or sullenly (e.g., SULK, MUSE, PONDER, DWELL), to sit on eggs to hatch them (e.g., HATCH), or as a noun, to refer to a family of young animals (e.g., OFFSPRING).
How do I identify if 'brood' is a verb or a noun in a crossword clue?
Context is key. Look for clues indicating an action (e.g., 'Brood over thoughts', 'To brood'), which suggests a verb answer like PONDER or SULK. If the clue implies a group of young or offspring (e.g., 'A hen's brood', 'Young animals'), it's likely a noun, leading to answers like OFFSPRING or LITTER.
Are there common synonyms for 'brood' that appear in puzzles?
Yes, common synonyms include 'muse', 'ponder', 'sulk', 'dwell', 'worry', 'fret' when 'brood' means to think deeply. For its meaning related to hatching, 'sit' or 'hatch' are common. For the noun meaning, 'young', 'offspring', or 'litter' might appear.