Multitined

Multitined is an adjective describing objects that have multiple tines, prongs, or projections arranged along a frame or handle. It is commonly applied to implements such as forks, rakes, or grapples where the tines serve to grip, lift, or agitate material.

Etymology and usage: The term derives from tine, a prong on a fork, with the prefix multi- indicating more than one. While often associated with kitchen or garden tools, multitined designs appear in a variety of contexts where a broad or distributed contact with material is advantageous.

Applications and examples: In agriculture and gardening, multitined forks and rakes enable soil aeration, compost turning, and debris separation. In cooking and serving, multitined forks may be used for handling foods that benefit from multiple contact points on a grill or plate. In industry and construction, multitined attachments—such as grapples on excavators or cranes—use many tines to grasp, sort, or lift loose material like wood chips, mulch, or scrap metal. In woodworking and manufacturing, comb-like multitined tools are used for brushing, detangling fibers, or aligning components.

Design considerations: The number of tines, their spacing, length, and the material from which they are made influence the tool’s strength, flexibility, and the material it can handle. Durability typically relies on hardened steel or alloy, with tines shaped to resist bending and wear. The term multitined functions as a general descriptor rather than a fixed standard, and specific counts or configurations vary by application and manufacturer.