Definition

1. Noun:

   • A utensil with prongs: A tool or implement with two or more pointed tines, used for handling food, especially for eating or serving.
   • A point of division: The point where something, such as a road, river, or tree branch, divides into two or more separate parts.
   • A tool for lifting or digging: An agricultural tool consisting of a handle and several metal prongs, used for lifting hay, digging, or turning soil.
   • The angle formed by two parts: The region of the angle formed by the junction of two parts, such as the legs of a human body or the branches of a tree.

2. Verb:

   • To divide into branches: To split or separate into two or more directions or parts.
   • To shape like a fork: To form something into a shape with two or more prongs or branches.
   • To lift with a fork: To raise or move something using a fork-like tool, such as a pitchfork.
   • To place a chess piece: In chess, to position one's piece so that it attacks two of the opponent's pieces simultaneously.

Examples of Usage

• Noun:

  • Please pass me a fork to eat my salad.
  • At the fork in the road, take the left path.
  • The farmer used a fork to turn the compost.
  • He sat on the fork of the old oak tree.

• Verb:

  • The river forks just north of the town.
  • She forked her fingers to make a shadow puppet.
  • We need to fork this hay into the barn.
  • The knight forked my king and rook, forcing me to lose a piece.

Advanced Usage

• "To fork over/out/up" (phrasal verb, informal): To hand over, especially money, often reluctantly.
  • He had to fork over fifty dollars for the parking ticket.
• "To fork a repository" (computing): To create a distinct copy of a software project's source code to develop it independently.
  • Many developers fork open-source projects to add their own features.

Variants and Related Words

• Forkful (n): The amount a fork can hold.
  • He took a forkful of cake.
• Forked (adj): Having a divided or branching shape.
  • The snake had a forked tongue.
• Pitchfork (n): A large fork with two or three long, curved prongs, used for lifting hay.
• Tuning fork (n): A two-pronged metal device that produces a fixed musical note when struck.

Synonyms

• Divide (v): To separate into parts.
• Branch (v): To divide into smaller parts.
• Prong (n): Each pointed part of a fork.
• Bifurcation (n): The point where something divides into two branches.

Related Phrasal Verbs

• Fork out: See "fork over/out/up" above.
• Fork into (informal): To start eating something eagerly with a fork.
  • He forked into his steak as soon as it arrived.

Related Idioms

• A fork in the road: A point where a critical decision must be made.
  • Graduation presented a fork in the road: pursue a job or further studies.
• To speak with a forked tongue: To lie or be deceitful.
  • The politician was accused of speaking with a forked tongue.

Noun

1. the angle formed by the inner sides of the legs where they join the human trunk
2. an agricultural tool used for lifting or digging; has a handle and metal prongs
3. the region of the angle formed by the junction of two branches
   • they took the south fork
   • he climbed into the crotch of a tree
4. the act of branching out or dividing into branches
5. cutlery used for serving and eating food

Verb

1. shape like a fork
   • She forked her fingers
2. divide into two or more branches so as to form a fork
   • The road forks
3. place under attack with one's own pieces, of two enemy pieces
4. lift with a pitchfork
   • pitchfork hay