Fork, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Forked p. pr. & vb. n. Forking.]
1. To shoot into blades, as corn.
The corn beginneth to fork. --Mortimer.
2. To divide into two or more branches; as, a road, a tree, or a stream forks.
Forked a.
1. Formed into a forklike shape; having a fork; dividing into two or more prongs or branches; furcated; bifurcated; zigzag; as, the forked lighting.
A serpent seen, with forked tongue. --Shak.
2. Having a double meaning; ambiguous; equivocal.
Cross forked Her., a cross, the ends of whose arms are divided into two sharp points; -- called also cross double fitché. A cross forked of three points is a cross, each of whose arms terminates in three sharp points.
Forked counsel, advice pointing more than one way; ambiguous advice. [Obs.] --B. Jonson.
-- Fork*ed*ly adv. -- Fork*ed*ness, n.
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forked
adj 1: resembling a fork; divided or separated into two branches;
"the biramous appendages of an arthropod"; "long
branched hairs on its legson which pollen collects";
"a forked river"; "a forked tail"; "forked lightning";
"horseradish grown in poor soil may develop prongy
roots" [syn: bifurcate, biramous, branched, forficate,
pronged, prongy]
2: having two meanings with intent to deceive; "a sly double
meaning"; "spoke with forked tongue" [syn: double]