Clue: Puzzle theme which appears nine more times in the grid

Answer: ABE

Length: 3

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Similar Clues:

• Number of times this puzzle's theme word appears diagonally in the grid (to complete the puzzle, shade those words plus the Down answers that begin where they meet) (FOUR with 4 letters)
• Theme of this puzzle, seen seven times in the grid (HIDINGOUT with 9 letters)
• This puzzle's theme includes them (ANIMALS with 7 letters)
• Phrase indicating slight progress, and a hint to this puzzle's theme (ATOB with 4 letters)
• Postseason gridiron game, and a hint to the puzzle theme found in starred answers (BOWL with 4 letters)
• Real estate units involved in this puzzle's theme: Abbr. (BRS with 3 letters)
• Items involved in this puzzle's theme (CAMERAS with 7 letters)
• Investment money, briefly, or this puzzle's theme, backward (CAP with 3 letters)
• Living room reading that includes this puzzle's theme (COFFEETABLEBOOK with 15 letters)
• Trait inconsistent with this puzzle's theme (DISHONESTY with 10 letters)