Wordy Wednesday 549: Touchword 29

WORDY WEDNESDAY #546
SECTION SIX 54 (answer)

Here is the answer to this puzzle. If you still wish to solve it yourself, please go here for the normal version of the puzzle, or here for the easier version of the puzzle. Here's a list of people who solved it:
Bonnie Veenschoten **
Cindy Heisler **
James Haddad **
Joe Bernard **
Michael Lebowitz *
Tyler Hinman **
Kevin Orfield **
Ryan Faley **
Sam Levitin **

WORDY WEDNESDAY #547
ANACROSSWORD 32 (answer)

Here is the answer to this puzzle. If you still wish to solve it yourself, please go here for the normal version of the puzzle, or here for the easier version of the puzzle. Here's a list of people who solved it:
Bonnie Veenschoten **
Cathy Bowen **
Cindy Heisler **
James Haddad **
Michael Lebowitz **
Tyler Hinman **
Kevin Orfield **
Ryan Faley **
Sam Levitin **

WORDY WEDNESDAY #548
ANACROSSWORD 33 (hint)

As of this writing, 11 people have solved this puzzle. Haven't solved it yet? Here's an easier version. Send your answers to glmathgrant[at]gmail[dot]com within the next week to appear on the solvers list and be recognized for your puzzle prowess. Good luck, solvers!

WORDY WEDNESDAY #549
TOUCHWORD 29
(click here for a PDF version)

In a crossword, words cross each other; in this puzzle, they merely touch. More specifically, all answers read across, and every letter shares an edge with at least one identical letter either immediately above or immediately below. The top and bottom rows are considered adjacent.

Arrange the letters in the shaded spaces to form the final answer, an 8-letter word.

1 Echo / Vase-shaped jug / Game show host Rayburn
2 Novice / “Down ____” (Men at Work song) / Pressing
3 “Taxation without representation is ____” / Salacious
4 Plastic wrap trademark / Device for putting text on paper
5 Scholar / Exploded, with “up” / Make changes to
6 Expressing approval / Meager
7 A felt hat / Certain speech impediment / Ward off, as a sword attack
8 Alexander Hamilton was among its founders: 2 wds.
9 Yield / The Handmaid’s ____ / Law
10 Student at a military academy / Towards shelter / Ace Ventura: When ____ Calls
11 Not wild / Everything Everywhere All at ____ / Trap
12 Feminine hygiene product / ____ on the cob / Rickman’s role in the Harry Potter films
13 Fruit from which wine is made / “This offer is not available in ____!” / Guitar player’s accessory
14 Shreds, as cheese / Bed Bath & Beyond purchase / Singer Perry
15 No ____ for the Wicked (Ozzy Osbourne album) / “Do ____ others. . .” / Word on a mat

COMING NEXT WEEK. . .

* What's a 5-letter word for "Reepicheep of The Chronicles of Narnia, for one"?

Submit your answers to glmathgrant[at]gmail[dot]com. Until next time, happy solving!