FERRET

ferret

(noun) domesticated albino variety of the European polecat bred for hunting rats and rabbits

ferret

(verb) hunt with ferrets

ferret

(verb) hound or harry relentlessly

Source: WordNet® 3.1

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Etymology 1

Noun

ferret (plural ferrets)

An often domesticated mammal (Mustela putorius furo) rather like a weasel, descended from the polecat and often trained to hunt burrowing animals.

The black-footed ferret, Mustela nigripes.

(figurative) A diligent searcher.

Verb

ferret (third-person singular simple present ferrets, present participle ferreting, simple past and past participle ferreted)

To hunt game with ferrets.

(by extension, ambitransitive) To uncover and bring to light by searching; usually to ferret out.

Etymology 2

Noun

ferret

(dated) A tape of silk, cotton, or ribbon, used to tie documents, clothing, etc. or along the edge of fabric.

Anagrams

• refret

Source: Wiktionary

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Fer"ret, n. Etym: [F. furet, cf. LL. furo; prob. fr. L. fur thief (cf. Furtive); cf. Arm. fur wise, sly.] (Zoöl.)

Definition: An animal of the Weasel family (Mustela or Putorius furo), about fourteen inches in length, of a pale yellow or white color, with red eyes. It is a native of Africa, but has been domesticated in Europe. Ferrets are used to drive rabbits and rats out of their holes.

Fer"ret, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Ferreted; p. pr. & vb. n. Ferreting.] Etym: [Cf. F. fureter. See Ferret, n.]

Definition: To drive or hunt out of a lurking place, as a ferret does the cony; to search out by patient and sagacious efforts; -- often used with out; as, to ferret out a secret. Master Fer! I'll fer him, and firk him, and ferret him. Shak.

Fer"ret, n. Etym: [Ital. foretto, dim. of fiore flower; or F. fleuret. Cf. Floret.]

Definition: A kind of narrow tape, usually made of woolen; sometimes of cotton or silk; -- called also ferreting.

Fer"ret, n. Etym: [F. feret, dim. or fer iron, L. ferrum.] (Glass Making)

Definition: The iron used for trying the melted glass to see if is fit to work, and for shaping the rings at the mouths of bottles.

Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition

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