bifurcate

bi·fur·cate

verb \ˈbī-(ˌ)fər-ˌkāt, bī-ˈfər-\

bi·fur·cat·edbi·fur·cat·ing

Definition of BIFURCATE

transitive verb

: to cause to divide into two branches or parts

intransitive verb

: to divide into two branches or parts

— bi·fur·cate \(ˌ)bī-ˈfər-kət, -ˌkāt; ˈbī-(ˌ)fər-ˌkāt\ adjective

Examples of BIFURCATE

1. The stream bifurcated into two narrow winding channels.
2. bifurcate a beam of light

Origin of BIFURCATE

Medieval Latin bifurcatus, past participle of bifurcare, from Latin bifurcus two-pronged, from bi- + furca fork

First Known Use: 1615

Other Biology Terms

autochthonous, fecund, homunculus, phylogeny, substrate

Rhymes with BIFURCATE

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