The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:
Fork \Fork\ (f[^o]rk), n. [AS. forc, fr. L. furca. Cf.
Fourch['e], Furcate.]
1. An instrument consisting of a handle with a shank
terminating in two or more prongs or tines, which are
usually of metal, parallel and slightly curved; -- used
for piercing, holding, taking up, or pitching anything.
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2. Anything furcate or like a fork in shape, or furcate at
the extremity; as, a tuning fork.
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3. One of the parts into which anything is furcated or
divided; a prong; a branch of a stream, a road, etc.; a
barbed point, as of an arrow.
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Let it fall . . . though the fork invade
The region of my heart. --Shak.
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A thunderbolt with three forks. --Addison.
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4. The place where a division or a union occurs; the angle or
opening between two branches or limbs; as, the fork of a
river, a tree, or a road.
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5. The gibbet. [Obs.] --Bp. Butler.
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Fork beam (Shipbuilding), a half beam to support a deck,
where hatchways occur.
Fork chuck (Wood Turning), a lathe center having two prongs
for driving the work.
Fork head.
(a) The barbed head of an arrow.
(b) The forked end of a rod which forms part of a knuckle
joint.
In fork. (Mining) A mine is said to be in fork, or an
engine to "have the water in fork," when all the water is
drawn out of the mine. --Ure.
The forks of a river or The forks of a road, the branches
into which it divides, or which come together to form it;
the place where separation or union takes place.
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