different between prong vs pronged

English

Etymology

From Middle English pronge, perhaps from Middle Low German prange (“stick, restraining device”), from prangen (“to press, pinch”), from Proto-Indo-European *(s)preng- (“to wrap up, constrict”), akin to Lithuanian springstù (“to choke, become choked or obstructed”), Latvian sprañgât (“cord, constrict”), Ancient Greek ????????? (sparganó?, “to swaddle”), ????????? (spárganon, “swaddling cloth”). See also prank, prance, prink.

Pronunciation

• (UK) IPA^(key): /p???/
• (US) IPA^(key): /p???/
• Rhymes: -??

Noun

prong (plural prongs)

1. A thin, pointed, projecting part, as of an antler or a fork or similar tool. A tine.

   a pitchfork with four prongs

2. A branch; a fork.

   the two prongs of a river

3. (colloquial) The penis.
   • 2008, Andy Zaltzman on The Bugle podcast, episode 34, You Will Know Us By Our Knobbly Fruit.

     Hang on... That looks like... No, it can't be. Is that my wang!? Micky Paintbrush, have you painted my papal prong on that nudy man!?

Derived terms

• pronghorn

Translations

See also

• tine
• tooth

Verb

prong (third-person singular simple present prongs, present participle pronging, simple past and past participle pronged)

1. To pierce or poke with, or as if with, a prong.

Translations

English

Etymology

prong +? -ed

Adjective

pronged (comparative more pronged, superlative most pronged)

1. (chiefly in combination) Having (a specified number or type of) prongs

   a three-pronged fork

Hyponyms

• three-pronged

Translations