I just did the crossword from USA Today from Nov 26 (Ya, I'm working through a bit of a backlog). This contained a word that I can't find any reference to: Areel. The clue was "Staggering." I finally came to this answer by filling in everything around it and I'm fairly sure that all else is correct. I'm assuming that the way they got to this is that if someone is reeling, then they are "areel," but I can't find this word in any of the online dictionaries that I've searched. Is this an actual usage, or are they being overly creative?
I'm sure I've heard or read it before...
Would you accept a reference in a crossword puzzle dictionary?
How about in poetry or somewhat poetic prose?
I also came across the word Areel yesterday in a codeword crossword I was doing and looked it up and found this site the only place with it as a word. Good luck on your crosswords.
Our old (1930) Websters has "a-reel adj. reeling." The "reel" in question likely has the sense of whirling wildly, or indeed, staggering.
Seems to me that a- is a prefix that can be applied at will (as can be done with re-. (Reflummoxed? Works for me.)). Afire, abed, aside, asleep, afoot, awash are common examples; awhirl is perfectly fine, so why not areel?