English Explanatory Dictionary

ferret

English dictionary entry

Meanings

noun
  1. An often domesticated mammal (Mustela putorius furo) rather like a weasel, descended from the European polecat and often trained to hunt burrowing animals.
  2. A black-footed ferret (Mustela nigripes).
  3. A diligent searcher.
verb
  1. To hunt game with ferrets.
  2. To uncover and bring to light by searching; usually to ferret out.
noun
  1. A tape of silk, cotton, or ribbon, used to tie documents, clothing, etc. or along the edge of fabric.

Pronunciation

fĕr'ət /ˈfɛɹɪt/ en-us-ferret.ogg

Word forms

ferret ferrets ferreting ferreted

Etymology

From Middle English furet, ferret, from Old French furet, from Vulgar Latin *furittum (“weasel, ferret”), diminutive of Latin fūr (“thief”).

Related words

furtive

Derived words

chutney ferret exercise the ferret ferret-badger ferreter ferret-faced ferret-legging ferretlike ferrety hob-ferret reverse ferret ferret about ferret around ferret out
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