verb / adjective
bifurcate
BY-fur-kayt/ˈbaɪfərkeɪt/
To divide or be divided into two branches or parts.
The tree trunk bifurcates at a clear junction into two substantial branches.
Etymology
The pieces evoke a two-pronged fork: to bifurcate is to divide into two branches, like the prongs extending from a fork's shared base.
In context
We drop down, we follow this ridge all the way around. It doesn't bifurcate, right? It doesn't split or anything.
More examples
- The artery bifurcates into two smaller branches.
- The court bifurcated the trial into separate stages.
- A bifurcate branch rises above the low hedge.
Forms
bifurcate · bifurcates · bifurcated · bifurcating