Tines

Tines refer to the pointed prongs or projections that extend from a tool or instrument, typically used for grasping, holding, or piercing. These pointed projections are generally sharp and designed to penetrate or engage with a target object. The number of tines can vary depending on the tool's function, ranging from a few to many, and their shape can be straight, curved, or barbed to better serve their intended purpose. The material of the tines often reflects the intended application with durability, strength, and resistance to wear being the important considerations. Their positioning and spacing is specifically designed to make the tines fit their function to grab and hold onto whatever they are designed for.

Tines meaning with examples

• The farmer carefully inserted the pitchfork's tines into the hay bale, expertly maneuvering the fork to lift and transport the heavy load. Each tine, sharp and strong, easily pierced the compressed hay, allowing him to hoist the mass without difficulty. He relied on the durability and strength of the tines to prevent them from bending and breaking under the strain, repeating this action many times.
• The intricate design of the antique silver fork included finely crafted tines, their delicate points designed for elegance as much as functionality. She delicately used the fork, selecting an olive from a platter; the tines spaced perfectly to gently lift the small piece of food. The well-made tines, made of a high quality alloy, are a part of the overall beauty and craftsmanship of the instrument.
• The hunter used a specialized spear whose tines were treated to be extremely sharp, giving it the ability to penetrate the thick hide of the animal. This spear was designed for this purpose to ensure a clean, effective kill. The careful arrangement of the tines provided the penetration required for the specific game he was hunting; they were a symbol of both hunting skill and hunting precision.
• The comb's tines, uniform in length and smoothness, effortlessly glided through her hair, detangling the strands with ease. Designed for optimal performance, the plastic tines' flexibility, with their rounded tips, eliminated any potential for scratching of the scalp or damage to the hair itself. This design helps with the ability to reach and remove tangles without causing discomfort or causing damage.