Also see definition of "Ferret" in Bible Study Dictionaries
Word Study
Ferret
WORDNET DICTIONARY
Noun Ferret has 2 senses
- ferret(n = noun.animal) black-footed ferret, mustela nigripes - musteline mammal of prairie regions of United States; nearly extinct; Array is a kind of mustelid, musteline, musteline mammal
- ferret(n = noun.animal) Array - domesticated albino variety of the European polecat bred for hunting rats and rabbits; Array is a kind of fitch, foulmart, foumart, mustela putorius, polecat
is a member of genus mustela, mustela
Derived form verb ferret2
Verb Ferret has 3 senses
- ferret(v = verb.motion) Array - hound or harry relentlessly; Array is one way to hound, hunt, trace
- ferret(v = verb.competition) Array - hunt with ferrets; Array is one way to hunt, hunt down, run, track down
- ferret(v = verb.cognition) ferret out - search and discover through persistent investigation; "She ferreted out the truth" is one way to discover, find
Sample sentences:
Somebody ----s something
Somebody ----s somebody
Derived form noun ferret1
Sample sentences:
Somebody ----s
Somebody ----s something
Sample sentences:
Somebody ----s something
Somebody ----s that CLAUSE
CIDE DICTIONARY
Ferret, n. [F. furet, cf. LL. furo; prob. fr. L. fur thief (cf. Furtive); cf. Arm. fur wise, sly.].
An animal of the Weasel family (Mustela furo syn. 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. They are sometimes kept as pets. [1913 Webster]
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. [1913 Webster]
"Master Fer! I'll fer him, and firk him, and ferret him."
[1913 Webster]
Ferret, n. [Ital. foretto, dim. of fiore flower; or F. fleuret. Cf. Floret.].
A kind of narrow tape, usually made of woolen; sometimes of cotton or silk; -- called also ferreting . [1913 Webster]
Ferret, n. [F. feret, dim. or fer iron, L. ferrum.].
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. [1913 Webster]
OXFORD DICTIONARY
Ferret, n. & v.
--n.
1 a small half-domesticated polecat, Mustela putorius furo, used in catching rabbits, rats, etc.
2 a person who searches assiduously.
--v.
1 intr. hunt with ferrets.
2 intr. rummage; search about.
3 tr. (often foll. by about, away, out, etc.) a clear out (holes or an area of ground) with ferrets. b take or drive away (rabbits etc.) with ferrets.
4 tr. (foll. by out) search out (secrets, criminals, etc.).
--n.
1 a small half-domesticated polecat, Mustela putorius furo, used in catching rabbits, rats, etc.
2 a person who searches assiduously.
--v.
1 intr. hunt with ferrets.
2 intr. rummage; search about.
3 tr. (often foll. by about, away, out, etc.) a clear out (holes or an area of ground) with ferrets. b take or drive away (rabbits etc.) with ferrets.
4 tr. (foll. by out) search out (secrets, criminals, etc.).
Derivative
ferreter n. ferrety adj.
Etymology
ME f. OF fu(i)ret alt. f. fu(i)ron f. LL furo -onis f. L fur thief
THESAURUS
Ferret
Argus, Cape polecat, ape, bar, bear, cat, cavy, chimp, chimpanzee, coon, eagle, foumart, glutton, groundhog, guinea pig, hawk, hedgehog, lynx, monk, monkey, mousehound, opossum, polecat, porcupine, possum, prairie dog, quill pig, raccoon, skunk, weasel, whistle-pig, wolverine, woodchuck, zoril
Also see definition of "Ferret" in Bible Study Dictionaries
For further exploring for "Ferret" in Webster Dictionary Online
