horca

gallows, pitchfork

noun OHR-kah Rare

Origin: From Latin furca (fork, gallows).

Usage Note

Horca covers two distinct senses: the implement of execution (gallows) and a two- or three-pronged farm tool (pitchfork or hayfork). Context usually disambiguates — morir en la horca (to die on the gallows) vs. usar la horca para el heno (to use the pitchfork for hay). Do not confuse with orca (killer whale), which is spelled and pronounced differently.

Examples

"El condenado fue llevado a la horca."

Natural Translation

The condemned man was taken to the gallows.

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