Herded into a pen (9) - Crossword Clue
Answer: CORRALLED
Understanding the Clue
- In crossword puzzles, this type of clue represents a direct definition where "herded into a pen" literally describes the action of corralling.
- The word CORRALLED comes from the Spanish "corral," referring to an enclosure for livestock.
- When ranchers or farmers corral animals, they're driving them into a confined space, typically for branding, veterinary care, or protection.
- The clue's letter count (9) confirms the past tense form with the double "L" and "ED" ending.
Related Crossword Terms
- Similar clues might use synonyms like "penned in," "rounded up," or "enclosed." Other nine-letter alternatives rarely fit as naturally, making CORRALLED the optimal answer.
- Words like "gathered" (8 letters) or "enclosed" (8 letters) don't match the letter count, while "imprisoned" changes the context from animals to humans.
- Understanding these distinctions helps solvers recognize agricultural terminology in future puzzles.
Tips for Solving Similar Clues
- Look for context clues: Words like "pen," "herd," or "livestock" signal agricultural vocabulary that often points to corralling actions.
- Count your letters carefully: The (9) designation eliminates shorter synonyms and confirms you need the past tense with double letters.
- Consider Western terminology: Crossword puzzles frequently use ranching vocabulary, so familiarize yourself with terms like corral, lasso, and roundup.
- Think about word endings: The "-ED" suffix indicates past tense, which adds two letters to the base word "corral" for the required nine letters.
- Use crossing words: If you've solved intersecting clues, use those letters to verify CORRALLED fits the available spaces.
Herded into a pen (9) - 7 Little Words - FAQs
Q:What does corralled mean in everyday usage?
Beyond livestock, "corralled" metaphorically means gathering people or things together, such as "The teacher corralled the students for assembly" or "We corralled our supplies before the trip."
Q:Why is corral spelled with two R's?
The double-R spelling comes from Spanish origins, where "corral" maintains its original orthography when adopted into English vocabulary.
Q:Are there other nine-letter words meaning herded?
Few alternatives exist with exactly nine letters. "Shepherded" (10 letters) and "gathered" (8 letters) come close but don't match the letter count requirement.
Q:How common is CORRALLED in crossword puzzles?
This answer appears regularly in medium-difficulty puzzles due to its clear definition, useful letter pattern, and common double-L combination that helps with crossing words.
Q:What's the difference between a pen and a corral?
Both are enclosures, but corrals are typically larger, open-air structures for livestock, while pens are smaller and may be used for various animals including domestic pets.
