Furca
/ˈfʊr.kə/noun
A forked implement or shape, especially a two-pronged fork or yoke.
Did you know?Latin furca gave English not only scholarly terms like furcate but also the idea behind the “fork” shape that shows up in older legal and ritual language, where a yoke could symbolize submission and restraint.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*bʰerk-
“to split, fork, or project”
Latin
Latin
furca
“a forked stick, pitchfork, or yoke”
Late Latin
Latin
furca
“an instrument of punishment; a forked support or framework”
Old French
Old French
forque
“a forked implement”
Middle English
English
fork
“a pronged tool or branching shape”
Modern English
English
fork
“a pronged utensil or a point where something divides”