| BUILDINGBLOCKS | Smaller parts making up a larger whole ... with a hint to the six groups of circled squares in this puzzle |
| JUSTHAVINGABALL | Living it up ... or a hint to the six groups of circled letters |
| TRANSEPT | Ten parts making up a wing of the church (8) |
| GREEKCROSS | Religious symbol resembling a plus sign ... or a hint to the three groups of circled squares in this puzzle |
| JOYCE | Author who coined "quarks," whose six flavors appear in this puzzle's six groups of circled squares |
| FIGURE | One of a series of digits making up a larger number; geometrical form; or, a person's bodily shape (6) |
| ACINI | Small fruits making up a larger one (5) |
| REFORMING | Specialist troops in foreign parts making things better |
| NONET | A musical group and, coming up, a larger one performing |
| FRENCHREVOLUTION | Historical event suggested by each of the six groups of circled letters |
| TOWNSQUARES | What the six groups of circled letters represent |
| BIRDIE | Something needed to play the game depicted in this puzzle ... or a hint to the six circled answers |
| PHYSICSFORMULAS | What the three sets of circled squares in this puzzle represent |
| LEAPDAY | 2/29/16, e.g. ... or a hint to the circled squares in this puzzle |
| SIDEDISH | Thanksgiving serving, and a hint to the circled squares in this puzzle |
| ESCAPEACT | Houdini's signature feat ... or a hint to the circled squares in this puzzle |
| SNL | TV show since 10/11/75, eight of whose former stars appear in the circled squares in this puzzle |
| SOS | Critical message that's a hint to the six longest entries in this puzzle |
| FRANKENFOOD | Lab-engineered fare, facetiously ... or a hint to the six crossings of shaded squares |
| BOXINGDAY | Present time in England? ... or a hint to each set of circled squares |
