NYT Mini · 1-Down · 5 letters
Semicolon without the dot NYT Mini crossword clue
Editorially reviewed October 5, 2026
Answer · 5 letters
COMMA
COMMA fills the five squares. Picture a semicolon (;): a dot sits above a comma-shaped lower mark. Removing only the dot leaves the comma (,). The clue is about the mark's appearance, not about using a semicolon and comma interchangeably in a sentence.
Different crossing letters? Check another fit →Remove the upper point, not a word
The symbol ; has two visible parts: a dot on top and a curved lower stroke shaped like ,. Take away the dot and the remaining mark is a comma. The five squares take C-O-M-M-A; a word meaning 'pause' would miss the visual instruction.
Keep shape separate from grammar
A semicolon and a comma can play different grammatical roles, so the clue does not claim they are interchangeable. It asks only what the semicolon looks like after one component is removed. That distinction is useful whenever a crossword describes a letter or punctuation mark by its parts.
References behind this explanation
- October 5 Mini 1-Down numbered clue and answer
- Independent October 5 Mini clue occurrence
- Purdue OWL: commas versus semicolons in writing
These references support the meaning or background; they are not publisher endorsements.
Where this clue appeared
1-Down in NYT Mini puzzle for October 5, 2026.
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