Word Code for Seniors

The instruction is simple. Given the hints that Number 12 = M and Number 19 = N, complete the cells in the Word Code Grid below with letters such that every number represents a unique alphabet and every collection of letters (either across horizontally or down vertically) represent an English word.

The first letter to find an answer is located at cell m1 down - 4; M M 10; N 9; 10. The only other clue here is the fact that there are two number 10’s at cell m4 and m7. There must be at least one vowel in every English word and we can quite easy to conclude that Number 10 must be a vowel. We can discount A, I, O, and U as we search for the right vowel. Why? Because there is no word ending with these vowels in that combination of M’s and N. So, # 10 = E. The only word that satisfy all conditions here is IMMENSE. # 4 = I; # 10 = E; and # 9 = S.

The grid now opens up and looks like this:

The next word is an easy on at cell k 4 across - a three lettered word ending with SE. The word USE comes immediately to mind, and so # 11 = U.

Cell i 2 across S E 8; U M. # 8 can either be B, D, or R. SEBUM, or SEDUM, or SERUM. Sebum and sedum are words that we seldom use and thus we shall go with SERUM, which is liquid that separates out when blood coagulates. Sedum is a plant while Sebum is secretion during perspiration. The logic in choosing # 8 = R can also be deduced from its placements in other parts of the grid. For example, at cell j 9 - 17; 23; 8; E - a four letter word, the ending RE is more common than the DE or BE.

Next, we turn our attention to cell k 1 down — 2; R 15; U E. The only possible answer here is ARGUE. So, # 2 = A and # 15 = G.

Cell m 9 down requires only one letter # 5. The word that comes immediately to mind is the artist’s EASEL. Therefore # 5 = L and ALLEGE, meaning “making claim that someone has done something illegal or wrong” is a bonus at cell f 5 across.

The next word is SEVERAL at cell i 2 down. This is straight forward and # 14 = V.

Cell e 11 across is obviously the word SQUIGGLES with # 25 = Q. This can be the letter LIQUOR at cell g 8 down, with # 23 = O. This sets off the following pattern of the grid:

Cell i 10 starts a four-lettered word AGE 16. It is obvious to us that # 16 is D and so the word is AGED and # 16 = D. The bonus of this action is the word LAID at cell e1 down.

This bring us to # 13 at cell f 13 across and to cell c 9 across. It is easy to see that the letter P for # 13 fits both of these two words as in PRODIGAL an PALLID. The number 13 also appears in cell c 3 and cell. d 5 and we shall deal with these two words next.

Cell a 5 across S 18; I P means that # 18 can either be H for the word SHIP or K for the word SKIP. We shall put a hold on # 18 for the moment.

at cell c 3 the word across is 3; A P 6; I V A 6; E. There are two number 6’s here and this gives us the hint that the only word possible here is CAPTIVATE with # 6 = T and # 3 = C. The grid pattern now becomes as shown below:

Cell a 1 down has just one letter missing while cell a 1 across has two letter missing. The missing numbers are # 1 and # 7. Cell a 1 down has only one possibility FACTS as the letter P for PACTS and and the letter T for TACTS have already been allocated - # 13 = P and # 6 = T. So # 1 = F. That leaves us with # 7. It is easy to see that # 7 is Y for the word FACILITY.

We are on the home straight now with only seven numbers # 17; # 18; # 20; # 21; # 22; # 24; and # 26 to fit the seven remaining letters of B; H; J; K; W; X and Z. # 22 is the easiest now as the word DABBLE comes to mind. So # 22 = B. The word starting at cell a 7 across I C E B O 24; makes # 24 = X for ICEBOX. The word starting at cell e 6 down 21; O B L E S S is obviously JOBLESS, thus # 21 = J.

Can you now figure out the remaining numbers to correspond with the remaining letters?

Yes, you are right!

Number # 17 = W for TWO, for TRAWLS and also for WORE.

Number # 18 = H for SHIP.

Number # 20 = Z for CAPSIZE.

And finally, Number # 26 = K for POLKA.

QED