The Land Crossword: Dec. 11/18, 2009

Originally published in the December 11, 2009, print edition.

The Land — ACROSS

2. Edible nut with a rich, buttery flavor

6. Together with 2 Across, makes a popular holiday dessert

9. With 39 Across and 40 Across, Caesar's last words

11.The Big ___, Boston's infamous $22 billion highway project

15. "As you ___, so shall ye reap."

16. 3.14159265358979323846264338...

17. ___ Greenwood, All-Pro starting left defensive end for the Pittsburgh Steelers' "Steel Curtain" from 1971-1981

19. Usually the only class in school where you're allowed to whack people with dodgeballs (acronym)

20. Hesitant interjection

21. Abbreviation for adenosine triphosphate, the energy-carrying molecule found in the cells of all living things

24. "And the ___ said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people."

26. ___, the Other Reindeer, a 1999 animated Christmas TV special

28. This Himalayan nation is the world's youngest republic

29. "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer," "Frosty the Snowman," "A Charlie Brown Christmas" and "How the Grinch Stole Christmas" are each considered to be one (2 words)

33. With 34 Across and 30 Down, Santa's trademark laugh

34. See 33 Across

35. Viking savior?

36. This branch of mathematics was brought to the world around 800 A.D. by Muhammad ibn Musa al-Khwarizmi in his book "Kitab al-jam’wal tafriq bi hisab al-Hindi" ("Book on Addition and Subtraction after the Method of the Indians")

39. See 9 Across

40. See 9 Across

45. The un-jolly old elf

46. The jolly old elf

47. "___ Are Family," No. 1 disco song by Sister Sledge in 1979

DOWN

1. The reason for the season (2 words)

3. Along with Bells and Jake, a main "Twilight" character

4. 101 in Roman numerals

5. Symbol for the chemical element silver

7. When ___ Rome...

8. "The ___ ___," 1994 Christmas film starring Tim Allen

10. ___ Cat, chaser of Jerry Mouse since 1940

12. Arabic word for "festival"

13. A Frenchman might be dreaming of this kind of Christmas

14. "Silver ___," a classic Christmas song popularized by Bing Crosby and Carol Richards

18. Acronym for the University of Florida's Computational NeuroEngineering Lab, which is researching brain/machine interfaces

19. Like two ___ in a pod

21. Boxing legend Muhammad

22. "___ the season to be jolly..."

23. In the Marines, just below a PFC

25. Perfect is a 4.0

26. Conjunction

27. Dorothy's aunty

30. See 33 Across

31. Sound of enlightenment

32. International organization created to help people with intellectual disabilities develop self-confidence and social skills through sports training and competition (acronym)

37. Prominent mayor running for Tim's job as governor of Minnesota

38. Da Celtic Kid

40. Charged to a pitcher who enters a game in a situation to maintain a lead for a win, but who instead allows the tying run to score (acronym)

41. Egyptian sun diety

42. International organization formed in 1945 to promote world peace and security (acronym)

43. Country code for Trinidad and Tobago

44. Babylonian water diety

The Land crossword is created by Land Assistant Editor Tom Royer. Send your questions, comments or snide remarks to troyer@thelandonline.com.