forked
pronunciation
How to pronounce forked in British English:
UK [fɔ:kt]
How to pronounce forked in American English:
US [fɔrkt]
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- Adjective:
- resembling a fork; divided or separated into two branches
- having two meanings with intent to deceive
Word Origin
- forked (adj.)
- c. 1300, "branched or divided in two parts," past participle adjective from fork (v.). Of roads from 1520s; from 1550s as "pointing more than one way." In 16c.-17c. sometimes with a suggestion of "cuckold," on the notion of "horned." Forked tongue as a figure of duplicitous speech is from 1885, American English. Double tongue in the same sense is from 15c.
Example
- 1. Forked stick said to indicate underground water or oil .
- 2. Leaf blade papery , apex retuse ; midrib sometimes forked into 2 at apex .
- 3. South african shrub having forked spines and plumlike fruit ; frequently used as hedging .
- 4. And their forked tail helps their sublime control .
- 5. Forked tongues are transformed into hearts .