| 'Absolutely' |
YES |
| 'Alias' star |
GARNER |
| 'Be still' |
HUSH |
| 'Dreamgirls' Oscar winner |
HUDSON |
| 'La Cage -- Folles' |
AUX |
| 'Rocks' |
ICE |
| 'That hurts!' |
OUCH |
| As well |
ALSO |
| Basic learning |
ABCS |
| Before |
ERE |
| Bound |
LEAP |
| Confucian principle |
TAO |
| Cupid's alter ego |
EROS |
| Dark period |
NIGHT |
| Despot |
TSAR |
| Difficulty |
RUB |
| Disparaging word |
EPITHET |
| Dubious |
IFFY |
| Due |
OWED |
| Emanation |
AURA |
| Encounter |
MEET |
| Fifth day Christmas gift |
RINGS |
| First name of 15-, 22-, and 37-Across |
JENNIFER |
| Fit snugly inside |
NEST |
| Gender |
SEX |
| Gifford's successor |
RIPA |
| Growths of bamboo |
SHOOTS |
| Ham's dad |
NOAH |
| Help a hood |
ABET |
| Henry Clay or Daniel Webster |
WHIG |
| Insect |
ROACH |
| Italy's silhouette |
BOOT |
| Jason's ship |
ARGO |
