Crossword Dictionary

What's The Definition Of Ferret?

\Fer"ret\, n. [F. furet, cf. LL. furo; prob. fr. L. fur thief (cf. {Furtive}); cf. Arm. fur wise, sly.] (Zo["o]l.) 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}.] [Cf. F. fureter. See {Ferret}, n.] 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. [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}.
\Fer"ret\, n. [F. feret, dim. or fer iron, L. ferrum.] (Glass Making) 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.