pitchfork

[ pich-fawrk ]

noun

1. a large, long-handled fork for manually lifting and pitching pitch pitching hay, stalks of grain, etc.
2. pitchforks, Northern U.S. beggar's-lice, especially the achenes of Spanish needles.

verb (used with object)

1. to pitch or throw with or as if with a pitchfork.

pitchfork

/ ˈpɪtʃˌfɔːk /

noun

1. a long-handled fork with two or three long curved tines for lifting, turning, or tossing hay

verb

1. to use a pitchfork on (something)
2. to thrust (someone) unwillingly into a position

Word History and Origins

Origin of pitchfork¹

late Middle English word dating back to 1425–75; pitch ¹, fork

Example Sentences

Social media devolves into an echo chamber of torches and parading pitchforks, all aimed at Frankenstein’s monster.

From Seattle Times

A more mixed crowd of Amish and non-Amish bidders were wedged into tents selling tools and other farm goods, with prices like $200 for a leather harness and $10 for an old pitchfork.

From Seattle Times

Still, there’s a difference between a burr in one’s saddle and feeling like you’re sitting right on top of three or four other teams each pointing a pitchfork at your backside.

From Seattle Times

Another showed a patron saint of France, the Archangel Michael, trampling on a Quran and chasing Islam’s Prophet Mohammed out of France with a pitchfork.

From Seattle Times

“It started becoming … this angry mob mentality with, you know, like the angry village folk with the pitchforks coming after one thing and then another thing,” Mora said.

From Los Angeles Times