ˈbīˌfid, -_fə̇d adjective
Etymology: Latin bifidus, from bi- bi- (I) + -fidus (from the stem of Latin findere to split) — more at bite
1. : divided into two equal lobes or parts by a median cleft
a bifid leaf
claws bifid
2. of a cipher alphabet : constructed by matching the letters of the alphabet with 2-unit equivalents of such a nature that exactly as many of them can be constructed as there are letters of the alphabet (as by using the 25 possible pairs made up of combinations of one or more of the numerals 1,2,3,4, and 5 for a 25-letter alphabet) — compare fractional substitution
• bi·fid·i·ty bīˈfidə̇d.ē noun -es
• bi·fid·ly adverb