es·pouse  (-spouz) tr.v. es·poused, es·pous·ing, es·pous·es 1. a. To take in marriage; marry. b. To give (a woman) in marriage. 2. To give one's loyalty or support to (a cause, for example); adopt. [Middle English espousen, from Old French espouser, from Latin spnsre, frequentative of spondre, to betroth; see spend- in Indo-European roots.] es·pouser n. The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition copyright ©2000 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Updated in 2009. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved. espouse [ɪˈspaʊz] vb (tr) 1. to adopt or give support to (a cause, ideal, etc.) to espouse socialism 2. Archaic (esp of a man) to take as spouse; marry [from Old French espouser, from Latin spōnsāre to affiance, espouse] espouser  n Collins English Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1994, 1998, 2000, 2003 es•pouse (ɪˈspaʊz, ɪˈspaʊs)  v.t. -poused, -pous•ing. 1. to adopt or embrace, as a cause. 2. to marry. 3. to give (a woman) in marriage. [1425–75; < Middle French espouser < Latin spōnsāre to betroth] es•pous′er, n. Random House Kernerman Webster's College Dictionary, © 2010 K Dictionaries Ltd. Copyright 2005, 1997, 1991 by Random House, Inc. All rights reserved. Thesaurus Legend:  Synonyms Related Words Antonyms Verb 1. espouse - choose and follow; as of theories, ideas, policies, strategies or plans; "She followed the feminist movement"; "The candidate espouses Republican ideals" adopt, follow choose, pick out, select, take - pick out, select, or choose from a number of alternatives; "Take any one of these cards"; "Choose a good husband for your daughter"; "She selected a pair of shoes from among the dozen the salesgirl had shown her" abide by, comply, follow - act in accordance with someone's rules, commands, or wishes; "He complied with my instructions"; "You must comply or else!"; "Follow these simple rules"; "abide by the rules" adhere, stick - be a devoted follower or supporter; "The residents of this village adhered to Catholicism"; "She sticks to her principles" 2. espouse - take in marriage                     get hitched with, get married, hook up with, marry, wed, conjoin unite, unify - act in concert or unite in a common purpose or belief inmarry - marry within one's own tribe or group; "The inhabitants of this isolated village tend to inmarry" mismarry - marry an unsuitable partner marry, splice, wed, tie - perform a marriage ceremony; "The minister married us on Saturday"; "We were wed the following week"; "The couple got spliced on Hawaii" wive - marry a woman, take a wife wive - take (someone) as a wife intermarry - marry within the same ethnic, social, or family group remarry - marry, not for the first time; "After her divorce, she remarried her high school sweetheart" 3. espouse - take up the cause, ideology, practice, method, of someone and use it as one's own; "She embraced Catholicism"; "They adopted the Jewish faith" sweep up, embrace, adopt fasten on, hook on, seize on, take up, latch on - adopt; "take up new ideas" accept - consider or hold as true; "I cannot accept the dogma of this church"; "accept an argument" Based on WordNet 3.0, Farlex clipart collection. © 2003-2012 Princeton University, Farlex Inc. espouse verb support, back, champion, promote, maintain, defend, adopt, take up, advocate, embrace, uphold, stand up for She ran away to Mexico and espoused the revolutionary cause. Collins Thesaurus of the English Language – Complete and Unabridged 2nd Edition. 2002 © HarperCollins Publishers 1995, 2002  Translations Select a language:  -----------------------   Want to thank TFD for its existence? Tell a friend about us, add a link to this page, add the site to iGoogle, or visit the webmaster's page for free fun content. Link to this page:  Please bookmark with social media, your votes are noticed and appreciated:

?Page tools Printer friendly Cite / link Feedback Add definition Download our popular mobile applications for Android or iPhone/iPad. It's Free! ?My Word List Add current page to the list What defines a good dictionary? You tell us! Click here to let us know what features you want to see. ?Charity Feed a hungry child - donate to school feeding program Usage samples from TheFreeLibrary.com He well knew that fortune is generally the principal, if not the sole, consideration, which operates on the best of parents in these matters: for friendship makes us warmly espouse the interest of others; but it is very cold to the gratification of their passions. The History of Tom Jones, a Foundling byFielding, Henry View in context In proportion as either prevails, it will be conveyed into the national representation; and for the very reason, that this will be an emanation from a greater variety of interests, and in much more various proportions, than are to be found in any single State, it will be much less apt to espouseeither of them with a decided partiality, than the representation of any single State. Federalist Papers Authored by Alexander Hamilton by Hamilton, Alexander View in context Effingham had, from the commencement of the disputes between the colonists and the crown, warmly maintained what he believed to be the just prerogatives of his prince; while, on the other hand, the clear head and independent mind of Temple had induced him to espouse the cause of the people. The Pioneers by Cooper, James FenimoreView in context More results

affy

 verb

-ed/-ing/-es

Definition of AFFY

transitive verb

1

obs : confide, trust

2

a obs (1) : espouse (2) : affiance, betroth

b archaic : to join closely (as in bonds of faith) <souls affiedby sovereign destinies — R.W.Emerson>

intransitive verb

obs : confide, trust

Origin of AFFY

ME afien, affien, fr. OF afier — more at affiance

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Af`fy´
v. t. 1. To confide (one's self to, or in); to trust.
[imp. & p. p. Affied ( ); p. pr. Affying.]
2. To betroth or espouse; to affiance.
3. To bind in faith.
v. i. 1. To trust or confide.

pitch·fork  (pchfôrk) n. A large, long-handled fork with sharp, widely spaced prongs for lifting and pitching hay. tr.v. pitch·forked, pitch·fork·ing, pitch·forks To lift or toss with or as if with a pitchfork. [Alteration (influenced by pichen, to throw) of Middle English pikforke : pik, pick; see pick2 or pik, spike; see pike5 + forke, fork; see fork.]

The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition copyright ©2000 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Updated in 2009. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.

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pitchfork [ˈpɪtʃˌfɔːk]

n

(Engineering / Tools) a long-handled fork with two or three long curved tines for lifting, turning, or tossing hay

vb (tr)

1. (Engineering / Tools) to use a pitchfork on (something)

2. to thrust (someone) unwillingly into a position

Collins English Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1994, 1998, 2000, 2003

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pitch•fork (ˈpɪtʃˌfɔrk) 
n.

a large, long-handled fork for manually lifting and pitching hay, stalks of grain, etc.

Random House Kernerman Webster's College Dictionary, © 2010 K Dictionaries Ltd. Copyright 2005, 1997, 1991 by Random House, Inc. All rights reserved.

Thesaurus Legend:  Synonyms Related Words Antonyms

Noun	1.	pitchfork - a long-handled hand tool with sharp widely spaced prongs for lifting and pitching hay hand tool - a tool used with workers' hands tine - prong on a fork or pitchfork or antler
Verb	1.	pitchfork - lift with a pitchfork; "pitchfork hay" fork lift - take hold of something and move it to a different location; "lift the box onto the table"

Based on WordNet 3.0, Farlex clipart collection. © 2003-2012 Princeton University, Farlex Inc.

 Translations

Select a languag

fork  (fôrk) n. 1. A utensil with two or more prongs, used for eating or serving food. 2. An implement with two or more prongs used for raising, carrying, piercing, or digging. 3. a. A bifurcation or separation into two or more branches or parts. b. The point at which such a bifurcation or separation occurs: a fork in a road. c. One of the branches of such a bifurcation or separation: the right fork. See Synonyms at branch. 4. Games An attack by one chess piece on two pieces at the same time. v. forked, fork·ing, forks v.tr. 1. To raise, carry, pitch, or pierce with a fork. 2. To give the shape of a fork to (one's fingers, for example). 3. Games To launch an attack on (two chess pieces). 4. Informal To pay. Used with over, out, or up: forked over $80 for front-row seats; forked up the money owed. v.intr. 1. To divide into two or more branches: The river forks here. 2. a. To use a fork, as in working. b. To turn at or travel along a fork. [Middle English forke, digging fork, from Old English forca and from Old North French forque, both from Latin furca.] forker n. forkful n.

The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition copyright ©2000 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Updated in 2009. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.

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fork [fɔːk]

n

1. (Engineering / Tools) a small usually metal implement consisting of two, three, or four long thin prongs on the end of a handle, used for lifting food to the mouth or turning it in cooking, etc.

2. (Engineering / Tools) an agricultural tool consisting of a handle and three or four metal prongs, used for lifting, digging, etc.

3. a pronged part of any machine, device, etc.

4. (of a road, river, etc.)

a.  a division into two or more branches

b.  the point where the division begins

c.  such a branch

5. Chiefly US the main tributary of a river

6. (Group Games / Chess & Draughts) Chess a position in which two pieces are forked

vb

1. (Engineering / Tools) (tr) to pick up, dig, etc., with a fork

2. (Group Games / Chess & Draughts) (tr) Chess to place (two enemy pieces) under attack with one of one's own pieces, esp a knight

3. (tr) to make into the shape of a fork

4. (intr) to be divided into two or more branches

5. to take one or other branch at a fork in a road, river, etc.

[Old English forca, from Latin furca]

forkful  n

Collins English Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1994, 1998, 2000, 2003

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fork (fɔrk) 

n.

1. an instrument having two or more prongs or tines, for holding, lifting, etc., esp. an implement for handling food.

2. something resembling this in form.

3. a division into branches.

4. the point or part at which a thing, as a river or a road, divides into branches.

5. either of the branches into which a thing divides.

6. a principal tributary of a river.

v.t.

7. to pierce, raise, pitch, dig, etc., with a fork.

8. to make into the form of a fork.

9. to maneuver so as to place (two opposing chess pieces) under simultaneous attack by the same piece.

v.i.

10. to divide into branches, as a road.

11. to turn as indicated at a fork in a road, path, etc.

12. Informal. fork over, out, or up, to deliver; pay; hand over.

[before 1000; Middle English forke, Old English forca < Latin furca fork, gallows, yoke]

fork′less, adj.

fork′like`, adj.

Random House Kernerman Webster's College Dictionary, © 2010 K Dictionaries Ltd. Copyright 2005, 1997, 1991 by Random House, Inc. All rights reserved.

Thesaurus Legend:  Synonyms Related Words Antonyms

Noun	1.	fork - cutlery used for serving and eating food carving fork - a large fork used in carving cooked meat eating utensil, cutlery - tableware implements for cutting and eating food prong - a pointed projection salad fork - a fork intended for eating salads tablefork - a fork for eating at a dining table tine - prong on a fork or pitchfork or antler toasting fork - long-handled fork for cooking or toasting frankfurters or bread etc. (especially over an open fire)
	2.	fork - the act of branching out or dividing into branches branching, ramification, forking division - the act or process of dividing bifurcation - the act of splitting into two branches trifurcation - the act of splitting into three branches divarication - branching at a wide angle fibrillation - act or process of forming fibrils
	3.	fork - 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" crotch ramification, branch, leg - a part of a forked or branching shape; "he broke off one of the branches"
	4.	fork - an agricultural tool used for lifting or digging; has a handle and metal prongs hayfork - a long-handled fork for turning or lifting hay prong - a pointed projection tool - an implement used in the practice of a vocation
	5.	fork - the angle formed by the inner sides of the legs where they join the human trunk crotch body, organic structure, physical structure - the entire structure of an organism (an animal, plant, or human being); "he felt as if his whole body were on fire" angle - the space between two lines or planes that intersect; the inclination of one line to another; measured in degrees or radians
Verb	1.	fork - lift with a pitchfork; "pitchfork hay" pitchfork lift - take hold of something and move it to a different location; "lift the box onto the table"
	2.	fork - place under attack with one's own pieces, of two enemy pieces chess game, chess - a board game for two players who move their 16 pieces according to specific rules; the object is to checkmate the opponent's king aggress, attack - take the initiative and go on the offensive; "The Serbs attacked the village at night"; "The visiting team started to attack"
	3.	fork - divide into two or more branches so as to form a fork; "The road forks" furcate, branch, ramify, separate branch, ramify - grow and send out branches or branch-like structures; "these plants ramify early and get to be very large" arborise, arborize - branch out like trees; "nerve fibers arborize" twig - branch out in a twiglike manner; "The lightning bolt twigged in several directions" bifurcate - divide into two branches; "The road bifurcated" trifurcate - divide into three; "The road trifurcates at the bridge" diverge - move or draw apart; "The two paths diverge here"
	4.	fork - shape like a fork; "She forked her fingers" shape, form - give shape or form to; "shape the dough"; "form the young child's character"

Based on WordNet 3.0, Farlex clipart collection. © 2003-2012 Princeton University, Farlex Inc.

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fork

verb branch, part, separate, split, divide, diverge, subdivide, branch off, go separate ways, bifurcate Beyond the village the road forked.

fork out pay, pay up, cough up (informal), shell out (informal), remit He'll have to fork out for private school fees.

Collins Thesaurus of the English Language – Complete and Unabridged 2nd Edition. 2002 © HarperCollins Publishers 1995, 2002

 Translations

Select a language:  -----------------------  

fork (foːk) noun

1. an instrument with two or more pointed pieces for piercing and lifting things. We usually eat with a knife, fork and spoon.

2. the point at which a road, river etc divides into two or more branches or divisions. a fork in the river.

3. one of the branches or divisions of a road, river etc into which the road, river etc divides. Take the left fork (of the road).

verb

1. (of a road, river etc) to divide into (usually two) branches or divisions. The main road forks here.

2. (of a person or vehicle) to follow one of the branches or divisions into which a road has divided. The car forked left.

3. to lift or move with a fork. The farmer forked the hay.

forked adjective

divided into two branches or divisions. A snake has a forked tongue.

fork-lift truck

a small power-driven machine with an arrangement of steel prongs which can lift, raise up high and carry heavy things and stack them where required.

fork out

to pay or give especially unwillingly. You have to fork out (money) for so many charities these days.

Kernerman English Multilingual Dictionary © 2006-2013 K Dictionaries Ltd.

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Multilingual Translator © HarperCollins Publishers 2009