411 REFERENCE · Wiktionary
Gaffel
Reference material by Wiktionary contributors. This retains its source identity and is not 411 news reporting.
German
Pronunciation
de /ˈɡafəl/
de De-Gaffel.ogg <<Germany>> (<<Berlin>>)
Etymology 1
18th century, from de nds Gaffel, from de gml gaffele, from de gmw-pro *gabulu fork. de Gabel.
Noun
f
de nautical gaff spar for a sail
Derived terms
de Gaffelsegel
de Gaffeltakelung
Etymology 2
The same word as above, but in this sense from de gmw-cfr Gaffel, gmw-cfr Jaffel, from northern de gmh gaffele, from de goh *gaffala (attested in goh mistgaffela, compare lb Gafel). de Semantic development. It's said members got special forks. Seems unlikely to be the actual origin.
Noun
f
de historical a kind of medieval and early modern organisation in the Rhineland, especially the city of Cologne, similar to a craftsmen’s guild, but often with great political influence
Derived terms
de Gaffelhaus
de Gaffelmeister