feral1
[feer-uh l, fer-]
- existing in a natural state, as animals or plants; not domesticated or cultivated; wild.
- having reverted to the wild state, as from domestication: a pack of feral dogs roaming the woods.
- of or characteristic of wild animals; ferocious; brutal.
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Origin of feral1
1595–1605; < Medieval Latin, Late Latin ferālis bestial, wild, equivalent to Latin fer(a) wild beast + -ālis -al1
feral2
[feer-uh l, fer-]
- causing death; fatal.
- funereal; gloomy.
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Origin of feral2
First recorded in 1615–25, feral is from the Latin word fērālis of the dead, funerary, fatal
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Examples from the Web for feral
Contemporary Examples
Rather, she shows us: that spandex clad ass twerking in the jungle, surrounded by a feral pack of similarly well fed asses?
The “Aduba double-take,” a phenomenon that fans of the show often fall victim to, is truly a testament to her feral performance.
‘Orange Is the New Black’ Star Uzo Aduba on Her Journey From Track Phenom to Crazy EyesMarlow Stern
June 11, 2014
But then, with their contorted physiques and feral grimaces they speak directly to the Basquiats.
Devastated, she climbed with feral intensity, hoping the baby might spontaneously abort.
As Jordan Belfort, a charismatic monster of a stockbroker, DiCaprio is a feral beast; the id incarnate.
Why Leonardo DiCaprio, Who Wows in ‘The Wolf of Wall Street,’ Deserves to (Finally) Win An OscarMarlow Stern
February 17, 2014
Historical Examples
The instinct for the feral spring could no longer be denied.
VictoryJoseph Conrad
What conclusions do you derive from the study of the cases of feral men?
Introduction to the Science of SociologyRobert E. Park
It represents the genius of instinct, swift, feral, and unethical.
These plants are common in both cultivated and feral states.
He becomes an outlaw, to be dealt with as any other feral creature.
feral1
- Also: ferine (of animals and plants) existing in a wild or uncultivated state, esp after being domestic or cultivated
- Also: ferine savage; brutal
- Australian derogatory, slang (of a person) tending to be interested in environmental issues and having a rugged, unkempt appearance
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- Australian derogatory, slang a person who displays such tendencies and appearance
- Australian slang disgusting
- Australian slang excellent
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Word Origin
C17: from Medieval Latin ferālis, from Latin fera a wild beast, from ferus savage
feral2
- astrology associated with death
- gloomy; funereal
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Word Origin
C17: from Latin fērālis relating to corpses; perhaps related to ferre to carry
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Word Origin and History for feral
adj.
c.1600, from Middle French feral "wild," from Latin fera, in phrase fera bestia "wild animal," from ferus "wild" (see fierce).
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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
feral
[fîr′əl, fĕr′-]
- Existing in a wild or untamed state, either naturally or having returned to such a state from domestication.
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The American Heritage® Science Dictionary
Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.