Crossword Dictionary

What's The Definition Of Fur?

\Fur\ (f[^u]r), n. [OE. furre, OF. forre, fuerre, sheath, case, of German origin; cf. OHG. fuotar lining, case, G. futter; akin to Icel. f[=o][eth]r lining, Goth. f[=o]dr, scabbard; cf. Skr. p[=a]tra vessel, dish. The German and Icel. words also have the sense, fodder, but this was probably a different word originally. Cf. {Fodder} food, {Fother}, v. t., {Forel}, n.] 1. The short, fine, soft hair of certain animals, growing thick on the skin, and distinguished from the hair, which is longer and coarser. 2. The skins of certain wild animals with the fur; peltry; as, a cargo of furs. 3. Strips of dressed skins with fur, used on garments for warmth or for ornament. 4. pl. Articles of clothing made of fur; as, a set of furs for a lady (a collar, tippet, or cape, muff, etc.). Wrapped up in my furs. --Lady M. W. Montagu. 5. Any coating considered as resembling fur; as: (a) A coat of morbid matter collected on the tongue in persons affected with fever. (b) The soft, downy covering on the skin of a peach. (c) The deposit formed on the interior of boilers and other vessels by hard water. 6. (Her.) One of several patterns or diapers used as tinctures. There are nine in all, or, according to some writers, only six. --See Tincture.
\Fur\, a. Of or pertaining to furs; bearing or made of fur; as, a fur cap; the fur trade. {Fur seal} (Zo["o]l.) one of several species of seals of the genera {Callorhinus} and {Arclocephalus}, inhabiting the North Pacific and the Antarctic oceans. They have a coat of fine and soft fur which is highly prized. The northern fur seal ({Callorhinus ursinus}) breeds in vast numbers on the Prybilov Islands, off the coast of Alaska; -- called also {sea bear}.
\Fur\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Furred}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Furring}.] 1. To line, face, or cover with fur; as, furred robes. ``You fur your gloves with reason.'' --Shak. 2. To cover with morbid matter, as the tongue. 3. (Arch.) To nail small strips of board or larger scantling upon, in order to make a level surface for lathing or boarding, or to provide for a space or interval back of the plastered or boarded surface, as inside an outer wall, by way of protection against damp. --Gwill.