Fasten or bind (3) Crossword Clue
Answer: TIE (3 letters)
The answer to the crossword clue "Fasten or bind" with 3 letters is "TIE".Tie means to fasten or bind something together, typically using a cord, rope, or similar material. It can refer to securing items, such as tying shoelaces, or even to creating a connection between objects or people in various contexts.
Why “Tie” Fits
The clue asks for a single word (3 letters) meaning “fasten or bind.” The answer, TIE, fits exactly:
- Fasten or bind: Tie means to secure, attach, or join something by means of a knot, cord, or fastening, which directly matches the clue’s definition.
- Direct match: With 3 letters, tie fits the clue’s enumeration precisely.
- Precise synonym: It expresses both senses offered — fastening (tying shoelaces) or binding (tying bundles together).
The verb tie is one of the oldest and most common English words:
- Origin and usage: From Old English tīegan, meaning “to fasten, bind.” Its usage has remained consistent over centuries.
- Contexts: Common in everyday life: tying knots, bowties, shoelaces, or binding objects. It can also be figurative — “ties of friendship” or “family ties.”
- Examples: “He used rope to tie the parcel securely,” or “She tied her shoelaces quickly.” Both illustrate fastening or binding.
Quick crossword clues like “fasten or bind (3)” usually look for short, simple words with dual everyday and figurative meanings:
- Alternatives such as fix (3) or tie (3) may occur, but only tie captures both “fasten” and “bind.”
- The enumeration (3) narrows options quickly, and tie is the most obvious match.
- Crosswords often use tie due to its versatility in literal and figurative senses, making it the textbook answer here.
