forklift
UK[ˈfɔːklɪft]US[ˈfɔːrklɪft]
n
A vehicle with two long metal bars at the front used for lifting and moving heavy loads.
Morpheme Breakdown
fork
lift
fork
pronged tool
lift
raise
Etymology
The word 'forklift' is a transparent modern compound, formed in the early 20th century with the advent of the industrial vehicle. The first element, 'fork', traces back to the Latin furca, meaning a forked stake or tool, which perfectly describes the pair of tines used to slide under pallets. The second element, 'lift', is of Germanic origin, ultimately from a Proto-Indo-European root meaning 'to rise'. The compound's logic is purely descriptive, naming the machine for its defining action performed by its defining part: a device that lifts using a fork.
Analysis
Structure: fork (pronged tool) + lift (raise)
- fork: From Old English forca, from Latin furca (pitchfork, forked stake). Functional role: The object's shape, referring to the two prongs.
- lift: From Old Norse lypta (to raise), from Proto-Germanic. Functional role: The primary action or function of the machine.
Examples
The warehouse worker used a forklift to stack the pallets.
Always ensure the load is balanced before operating the forklift.
The new electric forklift is much quieter than the old diesel model.