feral
1[ feer-uhl, fer- ]
/ ˈfɪər əl, ˈfɛr- /
adjective
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 feral
11595–1605; <Medieval Latin, Late Latin ferālis bestial, wild, equivalent to Latin fer(a) wild beast + -ālis-al1
Words nearby feral
Definition for feral (2 of 2)
feral2
[ feer-uhl, fer- ]
/ ˈfɪər əl, ˈfɛr- /
adjective
causing death; fatal.
funereal; gloomy.
Origin of feral
2First 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. 2020
Example sentences from the Web for feral
British Dictionary definitions for feral (1 of 2)
feral1
/ (ˈfɪərəl, ˈfɛr-) /
adjective
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
noun
Australian derogatory, slang a person who displays such tendencies and appearance
Australian slang disgusting
Australian slang excellent
Word Origin for feral
C17: from Medieval Latin ferālis, from Latin fera a wild beast, from ferus savage
British Dictionary definitions for feral (2 of 2)
feral2
/ (ˈfɪərəl, ˈfɛr-) /
adjective archaic
astrology associated with death
gloomy; funereal
Word Origin for feral
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
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Scientific definitions for feral
feral
[ fîr′əl, fĕr′- ]
Existing in a wild or untamed state, either naturally or having returned to such a state from domestication.
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary
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