ferret1
[fer-it]
- a domesticated, usually red-eyed, and albinic variety of the polecat, used in Europe for driving rabbits and rats from their burrows.
- black-footed ferret.
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- to drive out by using or as if using a ferret (often followed by out): to ferret rabbits from their burrows; to ferret out enemies.
- to hunt with ferrets.
- to hunt over with ferrets: to ferret a field.
- to search out, discover, or bring to light (often followed by out): to ferret out the facts.
- to harry, worry, or torment: His problems ferreted him day and night.
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- to search about.
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Origin of ferret1
1350–1400; Middle English fer(r)et(te), fyret, furet < Middle French furet < Vulgar Latin *furittus, equivalent to fūr thief (< Latin) + -ittus -et
ferret2
[fer-it]
- a narrow tape or ribbon, as of silk or cotton, used for binding, trimming, etc.
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Origin of ferret2
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Examples from the Web for ferret
Contemporary Examples
Ferret is a carefully chosen comparison, implying diligence but absolutely no imagination.
That alone provides a powerful incentive for civil society to try to ferret out the numbers.
U.S. Drone Program Needs to Be Accompanied by Hard Facts on Civilian DeathsDaniel Klaidman
November 8, 2013
They were used to ferret rebel fighters out of their strongholds.
Reich, the former American diplomat, says he thinks Morales might just be crazy enough to ferret Snowden to La Paz.
Is Edward Snowden Bound for Bolivia? Evo Morales Sure Seems to Hope SoEli Lake, Mac Margolis
July 2, 2013
Lots of people at SAC work extremely hard to ferret out good investing ideas.
Historical Examples
His ferret eyes searched the apartment; he seemed counting every article.
The Bacillus of BeautyHarriet Stark
Satisfied, now, that there was imposture, he resolved to ferret it out.
Also, a ferret's muzzle, and a twist of tarry string, still faintly aromatic.
The Golden AgeKenneth Grahame
The postman had been watching Pete out of the corners of his ferret eyes.
The ManxmanHall Caine
“How rude of me-my name is Ferret R. Fable,” he said as he bowed.
FreeChildrenStories.com CollectionDaniel Errico
ferret1
- a domesticated albino variety of the polecat Mustela putorius, bred for hunting rats, rabbits, etc
- an assiduous searcher
- black-footed ferret a musteline mammal, Mustela nigripes, of W North America, closely related to the weasels
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- to hunt (rabbits, rats, etc) with ferrets
- (tr usually foll by out) to drive from hidingto ferret out snipers
- (tr usually foll by out) to find by persistent investigation
- (intr) to search around
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Word Origin
C14: from Old French furet, from Latin fur thief
ferret2
ferreting
- silk binding tape
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Word Origin
C16: from Italian fioretti floss silk, plural of fioretto : a little flower, from fiore flower, from Latin flōs
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 ferret
n.
late 14c., from Old French furet, diminutive of fuiron "weasel, ferret," literally "thief," probably from Late Latin furionem (related to furonem "cat," also "robber"), from Latin fur (genitive furis) "thief."
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v.
early 15c., from ferret (n.), in reference to the use of half-tame ferrets to kill rats and flush rabbits from burrows; the extended sense of "search out, discover" is 1570s. Related: Ferreted; ferreting.
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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper