— forkless , adj. — forklike , adj.
/fawrk/ , n.
1. an instrument having two or more prongs or tines, for holding, lifting, etc., as an implement for handling food or any of various agricultural tools.
2. something resembling or suggesting this in form.
3. See tuning fork .
4. Mach. yoke 1 (def. 9).
5. a division into branches.
6. the point or part at which a thing, as a river or a road, divides into branches: Bear left at the fork in the road.
7. either of the branches into which a thing divides.
8. Horol. (in a lever escapement) the forked end of the lever engaging with the ruby pin. See diag. under lever escapement .
9. a principal tributary of a river.
10. the support of the front wheel axles of a bicycle or motorcycle, having the shape of a two-pronged fork.
11. the barbed head of an arrow.
v.t.
12. to pierce, raise, pitch, dig, etc., with a fork.
13. to make into the form of a fork.
14. Chess. to maneuver so as to place (two opponent's pieces) under simultaneous attack by the same piece.
v.i.
15. to divide into branches: Turn left where the road forks.
16. to turn as indicated at a fork in a road, path, etc.: Fork left and continue to the top of the hill.
17. fork over or out or up , Informal. to hand over; deliver; pay: Fork over the money you owe me!
[ bef. 1000; ME forke, OE forca furca fork, gallows, yoke ]