Type of pen (4,3) Crossword Clue
Answer: FELT TIP (7 letters)
The answer to the crossword clue "Type of pen (4,3)" with 7 letters is "FELT TIP".Felt tip refers to a type of pen that uses a porous, felt-like nib to dispense ink smoothly onto paper. It is commonly used for writing, drawing, or coloring, providing bold and consistent lines, and is available in various colors and thicknesses for different purposes.
Why “Felt Tip” Fits
The clue asks for a phrase (4,3) meaning “type of pen.” The answer, FELT TIP, fits perfectly:
- Type of pen: A felt tip is a writing instrument with a porous nib made of pressed fibres (felt). It dispenses ink smoothly through the absorbent tip — precisely matching the clue’s definition.
- Direct match: With the pattern (4,3), felt tip fits the enumeration exactly.
- Precise meaning: The term describes a class of pens known for vivid ink flow, used for writing, sketching, or colouring.
The felt tip pen revolutionised modern writing and art tools during the mid-20th century:
- Origin and invention: The concept of a fibre-tipped pen originated in Japan, with Yukio Horie credited for developing the first prototype in 1962 for Pentel. The design quickly spread globally due to its convenience and reliability compared to traditional fountain pens.
Structure:
- Nib: Made of synthetic fibres or felt material.
- Ink reservoir: Holds quick-drying, water- or alcohol-based ink.
- Casing: Lightweight and often plastic, designed for steady ink flow.
Usage:
- Common in classrooms, offices, and studios.
- Employed for drawing, outlining, or making bold, smooth marks.
Examples:
- “He used a black felt tip to label the boxes.”
- “Artists often outline their sketches with fine felt tips.”
- “Felt-tip pens come in a variety of bright colours.”
In quick crosswords like “Type of pen (4,3),” clues combining everyday vocabulary with object classification tend to lead straight to functional, descriptive answers:
- Definition: The clue directly defines the object category (“type of pen”), pointing to a specific pen style.
- Format indicator: The enumeration (4,3) immediately signals a two-word answer, narrowing possibilities to descriptions like ball pen, felt tip, or gel pen.
- Common association: The phrase “felt tip” is well known across English-speaking countries, particularly the UK, as the standard name for this pen type — equivalent to “marker pen” in broader usage.
- Clue style: Straightforward factual definition; no hidden meaning or wordplay element typical of Quick Crosswords.
