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nounnoun

die Zinke, -n

tooth

Definition & meaning

Zinke is a feminine German noun: die Zinke, plural die Zinken.

  1. Prong, tine, or tooth
    A pointed projection on an object such as a fork, rake, comb, or similar tool.

    • eine Zinke der Gabel — a prong of the fork
    • die Zinken einer Harke — the tines of a rake

    In this meaning, it is similar to der Zacken , der Zahn , or die Spitze , depending on the object. Zinke specifically emphasizes a pointed projection that is part of a larger implement.

  2. Historical musical instrument
    Die Zinke can also refer to a historical wind instrument, especially the Renaissance and Baroque cornett. It was usually made of wood or ivory, curved, and had finger holes. The related term der Zink is also used for this instrument.

Grammar & Word origin

  • Gender: feminine
  • Singular: die Zinke
  • Plural: die Zinken
  • Declension: der Zinke, der Zinke, die Zinke, mit der Zinke

The word comes from Middle High German zinke , meaning a point or prong. It is related to the idea of something pointed or projecting. The musical-instrument sense developed because the historical instrument has a pointed or horn-like shape.

Synonyms & antonyms

Synonyms

  • der Zacken — a pointed projection or jagged point; usually more irregular or jagged than a Zinke.
  • der Zahn — literally “tooth,” and used for the teeth of combs, gears, or tools; it often suggests a regular, tooth-like structure.
  • die Spitze — a point or tip in general; it is broader and does not necessarily describe a separate projection on a tool.
  • der Zink — a historical name for the musical instrument, not normally a synonym for a prong.

Antonyms

There is no exact general antonym for Zinke. Depending on the context, possible opposites include:

  • die glatte Fläche [?](vocabuo://word/glatte Fläche) — a smooth surface without projections.
  • die Vertiefung — a depression or recessed area, opposed to a projecting point.

Common phrases & collocations

  • eine Zinke der Gabel [?](vocabuo://word/eine Zinke der Gabel) — a prong of the fork
  • die Zinken einer Harke [?](vocabuo://word/die Zinken einer Harke) — the tines of a rake
  • die Zinken eines Kamms [?](vocabuo://word/die Zinken eines Kamms) — the teeth of a comb
  • eine historische Zinke [?](vocabuo://word/eine historische Zinke) — a historical cornett instrument

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Examples

Ein alter Kamm hat viele Zinken verloren.noun

An old comb has lost many teeth.

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