ferrule

American  

[fer-uhl, -ool] / ˈfɛr əl, -ul /

Or ferule

noun

1. a ring or cap, usually of metal, put around the end of a post, cane, or the like, to prevent splitting.

2. a short metal sleeve for strengthening a tool handle at the end holding the tool.

3. a bushing or adapter holding the end of a tube and inserted into a hole in a plate in order to make a tight fit, used in boilers, condensers, etc.

4. a short ring for reinforcing or decreasing the interior diameter of the end of a tube.

5. a short plumbing fitting, covered at its outer end and caulked or otherwise fixed to a branch from a pipe so that it can be removed to give access to the interior of the pipe.

6. Angling.

   1. either of two fittings on the end of a section of a sectional fishing rod, one fitting serving as a plug and the other as a socket for fastening the sections together.

   2. one of two or more small rings spaced along the top of a casting rod to hold and guide the line.

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verb (used with object)

ferruled, ferruling

1. to furnish with a ferrule.

ferrule British  

/ ˈfɛruːl, -rəl /

noun

1. a metal ring, tube, or cap placed over the end of a stick, handle, or post for added strength or stability or to increase wear

2. a side opening in a pipe that gives access for inspection or cleaning

3. a bush, gland, small length of tube, etc, esp one used for making a joint

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verb

1. (tr) to equip (a stick, etc) with a ferrule

Etymology

Origin of ferrule

1605–15; alteration (apparently conformed to Latin ferrum iron, -ule ) of verrel, verril, late Middle English virole < Middle French (cognate with Medieval Latin virola ) < Latin viriola, equivalent to viri ( a ) bracelet + -ola -ole ¹

Example Sentences

Ferrule these in the manner of fishing-rods, so that each rod joins up to its normal length of 5 ft.

From Practical Taxidermy A manual of instruction to the amateur in collecting, preserving, and setting up natural history specimens of all kinds. To which is added a chapter upon the pictorial arrangement of museums. With additional instructions in modelling and artistic taxidermy. by Browne, Montagu

Related Words

• bar
• bat
• baton
• cane
• club
• rod
• slab
• stalk
• strip
• wand
• wedge