Fork
/fΙΛrk/noun
A utensil with two or more prongs used for eating or serving food.
Did you know?The word 'fork' is linked to ancient divination practices, where the forked sticks were used to find water and communicate with the spirit world.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*bherk-
βTo break or to divide, reflecting the function of a fork.β
Latin
Latin
furca
βA forked stick or a two-pronged tool, often used in agriculture.β
Old French
Old French
forque
βA forked implement, adopted into English usage.β
14th Century
Middle English
forke
βA pronged utensil for eating or serving, evolving from agricultural tools.β
Modern English
English
fork
βA common utensil, retaining its original function of dividing and serving.β