furciferous

English

Etymology

From Latin furcifer (“yoke bearer, scoundrel”), from furca (“fork, yoke, fork-shaped instrument of punishment”) + ferre (“to bear”).

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /fə(ɹ)ˈsɪfəɹəs/

Adjective

furciferous (comparative more furciferous, superlative most furciferous)

1. (archaic) rascally; scandalous
   • 1853, Thomas De Quincey, Autobiographical Sketches/Oxford:

     furciferous knaves

   • 1823 April 1, The Monthly Magazine:

     furciferous practices

References

• “furciferous”, in Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary, Springfield, Mass.: G. & C. Merriam, 1913, →OCLC.