Old symbols of numeric variable

Latest answer — August 21, 2026

21 Across

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Clue explained

CUNEIFORM denotes the ancient wedge-shaped writing system, hence ‘old symbols’. It is an anagram of NUMERIC OF, with ‘variable’ acting as the anagram indicator: NUMERIC OF* → CUNEIFORM.

Clue type:
Definition
A clay tablet bearing ancient wedge-shaped cuneiform marks.

Times Cryptic Crossword

This clue's Friday, August 21, 2026 appearance

Tap a square to reveal a letter.

Or reveal one clue at a time with the Hint and Answer buttons below.

Across

  1. 1Spooner’s dish? His number two pan!
  2. 6Panellist judging illusionist with vanishing trick
  3. 9Obliquely question note in card
  4. 10Golden-brown tan covering area on sunbather’s back
  5. 11A lot of loose Australian plugs stopped working
  6. 12Stand for a revolutionary broadcast again
  7. 13Street name for Parisian housing is on return address there
  8. 14Order restricting bad egg smells in the East End
  9. 17Stick large probes down
  10. 184 most significant spending limits
  11. 21Old symbols of numeric variable
  12. 22Reflecting some in Italy?
  13. 24Can containing last drop of kiwi cordial
  14. 25Principal character in Harry Potter introduces philosopher
  15. 26Heartless twelve year cuts for respected authority
  16. 27Maybe North Pole expert’s trapped

Down

  1. 1Noisy disturbance going uphill without a muffler?
  2. 2Nanny won’t quit UK novel that’s hard to read
  3. 3Medical upset spreading alarm
  4. 4English dons fighting at university in the sixties?
  5. 5Rule out fire resistance in passage
  6. 6Jumper’s lower in the field?
  7. 7Irate spinner’s behind putting South African pitch on film
  8. 8Family congress over in New Orleans
  9. 13Wonder-workers fixed up toilet with rod
  10. 15With hour to go, media struck the right chord
  11. 16Juvenile snubbed cold platter
  12. 19Primate rebuffed important toff on retreat
  13. 20Appear with setter in triumph
  14. 23Bottle opener vexing hosts

The answer to “Old symbols of numeric variable” in the The Times Cryptic crossword is CUNEIFORM — a 9-letter word. It most recently appeared in the The Times Cryptic crossword on August 21, 2026, a Friday puzzle, at 21-Across. Below you'll find why that fill fits, every other answer we've recorded for this clue, and links into the puzzle it came from.

“Old symbols of numeric variable” answer

CUNEIFORM (9 letters)

Reveal the solution one letter at a time with the tiles above if you'd rather nudge yourself toward it than see the whole word at once. Just want it outright? The answer is CUNEIFORM.

What does CUNEIFORM mean?

Reading the plain dictionary sense of CUNEIFORM is often the fastest way to see why it answers this clue.

(adjective)

  • denoting or relating to the wedge-shaped characters used in the ancient writing systems of Mesopotamia, Persia, and Ugarit, surviving mainly on clay tablets
  • denoting three bones of the tarsus (ankle) between the navicular bone and the metatarsals
  • wedge-shaped

When else has “Old symbols of numeric variable” appeared?

The Times Cryptic reuses clues across dates, sometimes with a different answer depending on the grid. Here's where this exact clue has shown up, and what the answer was each time — handy when you're checking whether today's fill is the only one.

August 21, 2026 (most recent) → CUNEIFORM. We haven't indexed another appearance of this exact clue yet.

Frequently asked questions

What is the answer to “Old symbols of numeric variable”?

The answer is CUNEIFORM, a 9-letter word. It most recently appeared in the The Times Cryptic crossword on August 21, 2026.

How many letters is the answer to “Old symbols of numeric variable”?

9 letters: CUNEIFORM.

When did this clue appear?

Most recently in the The Times Cryptic crossword on August 21, 2026 (a Friday puzzle), at 21-Across.

Can “Old symbols of numeric variable” have a different answer?

Yes — The Times Cryptic sometimes reuses a clue with a different solution to fit the grid. The answers we've recorded for each date it appeared are listed above when available.

Where can I find the rest of this day's Times Cryptic answers?

The full grid for August 21, 2026 is on the Times Cryptic answers page, with every clue and answer from that puzzle.

The Times Cryptic Crossword is published by The Times; WordHint is an independent site and is not affiliated with or endorsed by the publisher.

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