The word "trifurcate" is spelled with three syllables: /traɪˈfəːkeɪt/. The first syllable "tri-" means "three" and is pronounced with a long "i" sound (/traɪ/). The second syllable "-fur-" is pronounced with a short "u" sound (/fər/) and comes from the Latin word "furca" meaning "fork." The final syllable "-cate" is pronounced with a long "a" sound (/keɪt/) and comes from the Latin verb "catus" meaning "to divide." Altogether, "trifurcate" means to divide into three branches or forks.
Having; three branches or forks.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
The word "trifurcate" derives from Latin roots.
The prefix "tri-" comes from the Latin word "tres", meaning "three". This prefix is commonly used in English to indicate the number three, as seen in words like "tricycle" or "trio".
The root of "trifurcate" is "furca", a Latin word that means "fork". A furca was a two-pronged fork or a division into two branches.
The suffix "-ate" is often added to verbs in English, indicating a state, action, or process. In the case of "trifurcate", it denotes the action of dividing into three branches or forks.
Therefore, "trifurcate" can be broken down into "tri-" (meaning three), "furca" (meaning fork), and "-ate" (indicating action/process).