The answers to the clues below share a very unusual quality that has nothing to do with their meanings. Can you determine what it is?

1. Puccini opera set in China
2. Character in play we wait for, but who never arrives
3. Yellow-green gem
4. #1 Reindeer in  'Twas the Night Before Christmas
5. Colorful African garment
6. Auto instrument panel
7. Give lavish, excessive attention to
8. Kind of computer printer
9. Where to sign

Answers:

1. Turandot
2. Godot
3. Peridot
4. Dasher
5. Dashiki
6. Dashboard
7. Dot matrix
8. Dote on
9. Dotted line 

The unusual quality shared by the answers is that they contain 

dot-dot-dot/dash-dash-dash/dot-dot-dot

which stands for SOS in Morris Code - or HELP! 

Credit:
Daniel C. Bryant
HELP!