- fork
- [[t]fɔrk[/t]]n.1) agr. an instrument having two or more prongs or tines, for holding, lifting, etc., esp. an implement for handling food2) something resembling this in form3) bot a division into branches4) the point or part at which a thing, as a river or a road, divides into branches5) either of the branches into which a thing divides6) geo a principal tributary of a river7) to pierce, raise, pitch, dig, etc., with a fork8) to make into the form of a fork9) chs to maneuver so as to place (two opposing chess pieces) under simultaneous attack by the same piece10) to divide into branches, as a road11) cvb to turn as indicated at a fork in a road, path, etc12) phv Informal. fork over, out, or up, to deliver; pay; hand over•Etymology: bef. 1000; ME forke, OE forca < L furca fork, gallows, yoke fork′less, adj. fork′like`, adj.
From formal English to slang. 2014.