Fork beam (Shipbuilding), a half beam to support a deck, where
hatchways occur. -- Fork chuck (Wood Turning), a lathe center having
two prongs for driving the work. -- Fork head. (a) The barbed head of
an arrow. (b) The forked end of a rod which forms part of a knuckle
joint. -- In fork. (Mining) A mine is said to be in fork, or an engine
to "have the water in fork," when all the water is drawn out of the
mine. Ure. -- The forks of a river or a road, the branches into which
it divides, or which come together to form it; the place where
separation or union takes place.
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.
Fork, v. t. To raise, or pitch with a fork, as hay; to dig or turn over
with a fork, as the soil.
Forking the sheaves on the high-laden cart.
Prof. Wilson.
To fork over or out, to hand or pay over, as money. [Slang] G. Eliot.
Fork"beard` (?), n. (Zoˆl.) (a) A European fish (Raniceps raninus),
having a large flat head; -- also called tadpole fish, and lesser
forked beard. (b) The European forked hake or hake's-dame (Phycis
blennoides); -- also called great forked beard.
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.