tine

American  

[tahyn] / taɪn /

especially British, tyne

noun

1. a sharp, projecting point or prong, as of a fork.

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tine British  

/ taɪn /

noun

1. a slender prong, esp of a fork

2. any of the sharp terminal branches of a deer's antler

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Other Word Forms

• tined adjective

Etymology

Origin of tine

before 900; late Middle English tyne, Middle English tind, Old English; cognate with Old High German zint, Old Norse tindr

Example Sentences

Use the tines of a fork to flatten and indent crisscross patterns over the tops of each cookie.

From Salon

The 5-foot-6-inch robot shuffled to the dishwasher, pulled the door handle and slid a fork—tines up, naturally—into the silverware holder.

From The Wall Street Journal

The complaints roll in: The fork tines are too stubby, the dessert spoon holds its contents hostage.

From Los Angeles Times

The stag's antlers, now fully hardened and velvet‑free, regrow each spring, becoming more impressive with each year as new points called tines develop.

From BBC

Pulvar’s projects are like the tines of a fork, several in number but working toward the same aims of nutrition and environmental responsibility.

From Los Angeles Times