The same four-letter word will fill the blanks in each clue below to make new words.

BRAN _ _ _ _

FEE _ _ _ _

MEN _ _ _ _

SEE _ _ _ _

WIN _ _ _ _

WING _ _ _ _

FUN _ _ _ _

PEN _ _ _ _

Answer:

The word is DING.

Credit: NY Times Crossword - Sept. 20, 2009

Michael Ashley - CLOSING BELL