trifurcate

adjective

tri·fur·cate (ˌ)trī-ˈfər-kət

-ˌkāt;

ˈtrī-(ˌ)fər-ˌkāt

: having three branches or forks : trichotomous

trifurcate

ˈtrī-(ˌ)fər-ˌkāt

trī-ˈfər-

intransitive verb

trifurcation

ˌtrī-(ˌ)fər-ˈkā-shən

noun

Word History

Etymology

Latin trifurcus, from tri- + furca fork

First Known Use

circa 1831, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler

The first known use of trifurcate was circa 1831

See more words from the same year

Browse Nearby Words

triform

trifurcate

trig

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Cite this Entry

Style

“Trifurcate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/trifurcate. Accessed 30 Oct. 2025.

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