a. [f. L. furcifer (f. furca FORK sb. + -fer bearing) fork-bearer, hence (with reference to the ‘fork’ or yoke placed on the necks of criminals) rascal, jail-bird + -OUS.]
1. Ent. Bearing a forked process; said of the larvæ of certain butterflies (Cent. Dict.).
2. Rascally. rare (somewhat jocular).
1823. Monthly Mag., LV. 222. Long addicted to furciferous practices.
1835. De Quincey, in Tait’s Mag., II. 81. Observe the dilemma into which these furciferous knaves must drop.
