Where does “forkwise” come from?

forkwise (English) comes from English wise, from Middle English wys, from Old English wīs, from Proto-Germanic wīsaz, from Proto-Indo-European weydstos, from Proto-Indo-European weyd- — to see.

forkwise (English): In the manner of a fork

Definitions

  1. In the manner of a fork

Ancestry of “forkwise”, step by step

forkwise traces back through two separate lines of ancestry.

via English wise

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1EnglishwiseShowing good judgement or the benefit of...
2Middle Englishwyswise, thoughtful, proper; knowledgeable; alert,...
3Old Englishwīswise
4Proto-Germanicwīsazwise, knowledgeable
5Proto-Indo-Europeanweydstosknowledgeable
6Proto-Indo-Europeanweyd-to see

via English fork

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1EnglishforkA pronged tool having a long straight handle,...
2Middle EnglishforkeA fork or graip; A fork-shaped fire iron; A...
3Old Englishforce(found in compounds)
4Proto-West Germanicfurkōfork
5LatinfurcaA two-pronged fork, pitchfork; A fork-shaped...
Every word from Proto-Indo-European weyd- →Every word from Proto-Indo-European weydstos →Every word from Proto-Germanic wīsaz →