Wordy Wednesday 556: Section Six 55

WORDY WEDNESDAY #554
SNAKE CRISSCROSS 24 (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 **
Derek Allen **
James Haddad **
Joe Bernard **
Michael Lebowitz **
Tyler Hinman **
Kevin Orfield **
Ryan Faley **
Sam Levitin **
Steve Smith *

WORDY WEDNESDAY #555
PENT WORDS 111 (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 #556
SECTION SIX 55
(click here for a PDF version)

This puzzle’s grid has six rings and six sections. Each ring contains a series of words placed end to end, reading either clockwise or counterclockwise; all the words in a given ring will read in the same direction. Ring 1 (the outer ring) contains six answers that read clockwise; the starting spaces are numbered in the grid. Clues for the answers in the remaining rings are given in order, but their starting points and direction are for you to determine. The sections (separated by the heavy lines radiating from the center) will help you place the inner rings: in a given section, each ring segment contains all but one of the letters in the next segment outward. In other words, a section’s outermost segment contains six letters; the next segment inward contains five of those six letters in some order; and so on, until only one of the original six letters remains.

Arrange the letters in the six starred spaces to form the final answer, a 6-letter word.

Ring 1
1 Viral disease also known as infantile paralysis
2 A clean bill of ____
3 One in a box of 64, perhaps
4 Like distinctly bright colors
5 Idaho farmer’s crop, often
6 Yardsticks and such

Ring 2
* “____ lips sink ships”
* Booby ____
* Fuss: hyph.
* Material for phonograph records
* Equine character in Lamb Chop’s Play-Along: 2 wds.

Ring 3
* Golden, as bygone days
* Kappa’s predecessor
* Gasoline, in Liverpool
* Perfume ingredient extracted from petals: 2 wds.

Ring 4
* Greek god of the sun
* The process of learning via repetition
* Not compulsory or necessary

Ring 5
* Porch
* Asthmatic’s need

Ring 6
* Charlton of 55 Days at Peking (1963)

COMING NEXT WEEK. . .

* What do you call one who studies plants?
* What computer company is associated with black and white spotted boxes?

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