Fur, Her. The furs are of comparatively rare appearance in heraldry, and do not appear in the best ages. Vair and ermine are common. In Fig. [341] is an example of the treatment of ermine from the monument of Edward III.
Furbelow, O. E. An ornament on the petticoat of a woman’s dress, described as a “puckered flounce,” to display which it became the fashion to roll back the skirts of the gown. “The Old Mode and the New, or the Country Miss with her Furbelow,” is the title of an old play, temp. William and Mary.
Furca, R. A fork with two teeth (bidens), or two prongs; a hay-fork: furca carnarii, a fork used for taking down the meat hung up in the carnarium. The term furca was further applied to a kind of fork by aid of which a foot-traveller carried his baggage, but the more usual name for this kind of fork was ærumna (q.v.). Also, a wooden fork placed for punishment across the shoulders of slaves and criminals, to the prongs of which the hands were tied. Reversed it formed a cross upon which criminals were executed, either by scourging or by crucifixion with nailing. The patibulum was a similar instrument of punishment formed like the letter H.
Furgon, O. E. (Fr. fourgon). A fork for putting faggots and sticks on to the fire.
Furnus, R. (1) A baker’s oven. (2) A baker’s shop. (See Fornax.)
Fuschan in Appules, O. E. Fustian of Naples. (See Fustian.)
Fuscina, R. (1) A fork with three prongs used for spearing fish. (2) The trident of the retiarius. Originally it was called tridens, and used as a goad to drive horses. Neptune always carries one.
Fuscinula (dimin. of Fuscina, q.v.). A carving-fork.
Fusée, Fr. A gun with a wide bore, like a blunderbuss.
Fusiform (fusus, a spindle). In the form of a spindle.