I. ˈprȯŋ, ˈpräŋ noun
( -s )
Etymology: Middle English pronge, prange; perhaps akin to Middle High German pfrengen to press, Gothic anaprangan to afflict, Lithuanian branktas whiffletree
1. : fork
hay prong
dung prong
2. : a tine of a fork
3. : a slender pointed or projecting part: as
a. : a fang of a tooth
b. : a point of an antler
c. South & Midland : a branch of a stream or inlet
d. : spur I 6b
e. : a branch of a tree
f. : the projecting part or edge of a jewelry setting that holds a stone in place
II. transitive verb
( -ed/-ing/-s )
: to stab, pierce, or break up (as soil) with a prong : fork