Unit of distance that can precede “stone” and “age” NYT crossword clue

The answer to the clue “Unit of distance that can precede ‘stone’ and ‘age'” is **mile**. In both expressions, “milestone” and “mile-age,” the word “mile” is used metaphorically. A *milestone* refers to a significant event or point in development, originally referring to physical markers placed along a road to show distance in miles. On the other hand, *mileage* refers to the number of miles traveled, often used to indicate how much use a vehicle has undergone or as a measure of value or experience.

This clue plays on the dual use of “mile” as both a literal unit of distance and as a component in compound words with figurative meanings. In crossword puzzles, such clues are designed to prompt lateral thinking—getting solvers to shift from a purely literal interpretation to a more flexible linguistic one. It’s a clever way to tie vocabulary, idioms, and wordplay into a single, compact riddle.