tine

1 of 2

noun

1
: a slender pointed projecting part : prong
2
: a pointed branch of an antler
tined adjective

tine

2 of 2

verb

tined ˈtīnd How to pronounce tine (audio) or tint ˈtint How to pronounce tine (audio) ; tining ˈtī-niŋ How to pronounce tine (audio)

transitive verb

dialectal British : lose

intransitive verb

dialectal British : to become lost

Examples of tine in a Sentence

Noun One of the fork's tines was bent.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
This bundle includes a lead and cadmium-free black porcelain matcha pouring bowl, bamboo tea whisk with 80 delicate tines, fine stainless steel mesh sifter and a Chashaku bamboo scoop to easily measure your matcha. Chelsea Frank, Forbes, 4 Jan. 2025 Cultivators have rotating tines like tillers, but the tines are made out of thinner, less heavy-duty steel and often rotate much faster. Andy Wilcox, Better Homes & Gardens, 3 July 2024 Its most prominent feature is the third antler, which looks like an extra brow tine and juts out from his forehead. Bob McNally, Outdoor Life, 4 Dec. 2024 My carpenter friend informs me that the prongs on a rake are also called tines. Paul Keane, Hartford Courant, 6 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for tine 

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English tind, from Old English; akin to Old High German zint point, tine

Verb

Middle English, of Scandinavian origin; akin to Old Norse tȳna to lose, destroy, tjōn injury, loss — more at teen entry 2

First Known Use

Noun

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

13th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Time Traveler
The first known use of tine was before the 12th century

Dictionary Entries Near tine

Cite this Entry

“Tine.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tine. Accessed 30 Jan. 2025.

Kids Definition

tine

noun
ˈtīn
: a slender pointed part : prong
the tines of a fork

More from Merriam-Webster on tine

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