Tool with a curved blade (6) Crossword Clue
Answer: SICKLE (6 letters)
The answer to the crossword clue "Tool with a curved blade" with 6 letters is "SICKLE".A sickle is a hand tool with a curved blade, traditionally used for cutting grain, grass, or weeds. Its sharp, curved edge makes it efficient for harvesting crops by sweeping through them, and it has been an essential tool in agriculture for centuries.
Why “Sickle” Fits
The clue asks for a single word (6 letters) meaning “tool with a curved blade.” The answer, SICKLE, fits perfectly:
- Tool with a curved blade: Sickle refers to an agricultural hand tool with a curved metal blade used for cutting grain, grass, or other crops — exactly matching the clue’s definition.
- Direct match: With six letters, sickle fits the enumeration precisely.
- Precise meaning: The word conveys both the tool’s shape and function, distinguishing it as a manual implement designed for swift, sweeping cutting action.
The sickle is one of humanity’s oldest and most enduring agricultural tools:
Origin and history:
- The term sickle comes from Old English sicol and Latin secula, meaning “a sickle” or “to cut.”
- Archaeological evidence shows that sickles have been used since the Neolithic period for harvesting wild cereals.
Design and construction:
- Typically consists of a short handle and a semicircular or crescent-shaped blade.
- The inner edge of the blade is sharpened to allow cutting with a sweeping motion.
- Early sickles were made of flint or bronze; modern ones are forged from steel.
Uses:
- Harvesting crops like wheat, barley, or rice.
- Trimming weeds or grass in smaller fields or gardens.
- Symbolically associated with farming, labour, and—historically—social movements.
Examples:
- “The farmer used a sickle to harvest the wheat.”
- “She displayed an antique sickle as part of her tool collection.”
- “The sickle’s sharp curve allows for an even, efficient cut.”
In quick crosswords like “Tool with a curved blade (6),” clues for tools or instruments tend to be direct and definition-driven:
Definition: The entire phrase “tool with a curved blade” defines sickle precisely by its shape and usage.
Clue type: Straightforward factual clue — no hidden wordplay or double meaning.
Solving approach:
- When solving clues involving tools, note key descriptors such as “curved,” “cutting,” or “blade.”
- Curved-blade tools include sickle, scythe, hook, and bill. The (6) enumeration and agricultural context make sickle the perfect choice.
Crossword pattern: Agricultural or craft-related items often appear in concise descriptive clues like this one, rewarding visual and practical knowledge.
