ˈfire-fork Obs. exc. dial.
[f. as prec.]
A fork-shaped instrument used for stirring up the fire, putting on fuel, etc.
| c 1440 Promp. Parv. 161/2 Fyyr forke, ticionarium. 1483–4 Act 1 Rich. III, c. 12, Fireforkes. 1547 Lanc. Willis I. 108 Ij yrnes for the oven mouthe and a fire-fork. 1627 Drayton Agincourt 179 The women eager as their husbands were With Spits and Fireforkes. 1727 De Foe Hist. App. ix. (1735) 169 A fourth came out, not with a Sword, but a Fire-Fork. 1875 in Sussex Gloss. 1887 in Kent Gloss. |
| fig. 1685 Crowne Sir C. Nice iii. Wks. 1874 III. 301 Bell. Who brought this picture? Hot. The common fire⁓fork of rebellion. |