A History of Short Words

From the New York Times Crossword Puzzle

MARIA

Fri, 8 Dec '23
Song title in both "The Sound of Music" and "West Side Story"
Sun, 9 Apr '23
When repeated, a 1999 #1 Santana hit
Thu, 2 Feb '23
Natalie Wood's role in 1961's "West Side Story"
Mon, 2 May '22
"Ave ___" (prayer)
Sun, 24 Apr '22
Name that's "all the beautiful sounds of the world in a single word," on Broadway
Sun, 13 Mar '22
Rachel Zegler's role in 2021's "West Side Story"