Wordnet enhanced automatic crossword generation

We report on a system for automatically generating and displaying crosswords from a system manager supplied database of potential clues and corresponding words that index those clues. The system relies on the lexical relations encoded in WordNet to enhance the aesthetics of the resulting crossword by making it easier to automatically identify a grid that may be populated with words and clues that have a thematic focus. The system architecture is provided in overview, as is empirical evaluation.