Slender prong of a fork (4) Crossword Clue
Answer: TINE (4 letters)
The answer to the crossword clue "Slender prong of a fork" with 4 letters is "TINE". A tine is a slender prong or point, typically found on a fork or similar utensil, used for piercing or lifting food. These prongs are the individual points that extend from the handle, allowing the fork to function effectively.
Why “Tine” Fits
The clue asks for a 4-letter word meaning “slender prong of a fork.” The answer, TINE, fits neatly:
- Slender prong of a fork: A "tine" is the pointed, thin spike that makes up the separate prongs of a fork, as well as similar tools like rakes, pitchforks, and combs.
- Specific meaning: This term precisely refers to the individual projecting part, distinguishing it from the whole utensil or other components.
This direct and technical word makes "tine" the ideal answer for the clue.
“Tine” is a concise word with culinary and practical relevance:
- Origin: The word comes from Old English "tīan," meaning "twig" or "spike," and has been used for centuries to denote prongs and projections.
- Usage in context: “The fork has four tines.” "One tine bent during dinner." "Garden tools like rakes also have tines."
- Other uses: In zoology and description of antlers, "tine" signifies the branches that grow from the main stem.
"Tine" naturally bridges the clue’s requirements for thinness, projection, and tool parts.
In quick crosswords, clues like “slender prong of a fork (4)”:
- Direct the solver to technical names for parts—“tine,” “edge,” “stem.”
- The answer length (4) matches "tine" exactly, excluding longer alternatives like "point" or "prong."
- When clues combine size (“slender”) and structure, expect precise, single-syllable nouns.
Spotting the clue’s mechanical specificity and the grid requirements rapidly leads to “tine.”
