/ · 1894 Brewer’s · F · Fossa et Furca [pit and gallows]
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
An ancient privilege granted by the Crown to its vassals, to cast female felons into a ditch, and hang male ones on a gallows.
According to Wharton (Law Dictionary), this furca is not the Latin word, but the Hebrew farkah, to divide. Hence also the servile tenure called Furcam et Flagellum.
· ·
Entry taken from Dictionary of Phrase and Fable, edited by the Rev. E. Cobham Brewer, LL.D. and revised in 1895.
· 
· 
· ·