A professional who devises and creates crossword puzzles. Responsibilities include:

• Draws form setting up numbered blank squares for insertion of words and black squares to complete design.
• Fits words, whose spelling coincides vertically and horizontally, into blank areas and composes short definitions numbered correspondingly with matching series of blank squares.
• Sets up filled puzzle as key to solution.
• May originate puzzles for specific purposes, such as advertisements or holiday specialities.