ferrule

or fer·ule

[ fer-uh l, -ool ]

/ ˈfɛr əl, -ul /

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR ferrule ON THESAURUS.COM

noun

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

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

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.

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

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.

Angling.

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

verb (used with object), fer·ruled, fer·rul·ing.

to furnish with a ferrule.

Nearby words

ferrovanadium, ferrozirconium, ferrugination, ferruginous, ferruginous duck, ferrule, ferrum, ferry, ferry bridge, ferryboat, ferryman

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 -ole¹

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for ferrule

Melt a little of the ferrule cement and smear a little on the tip of the rod, then push the agate down in place.
The Boy Mechanic, Book 2|Various
Continue tapping the handle until the ferrule reaches the polished part of the blade; it will then be in far enough.
Scientific American Supplement, No. 561, October 2, 1886|Various
Therefore, a brass ferrule is wiped on the lead and the ferrule connected with the soil pipe.
Elements of Plumbing|Samuel Dibble
The ferrule is then cemented and riveted in place, and a soft-pine sleeve is fitted over the wood core and the ferrule.
The Boy Mechanic, Book 2|Various

A ferrule two or three inches deep and an inch in diameter is fitted into the bottom of the funnel and soldered in tight.
The Library of Work and Play: Outdoor Work|Mary Rogers Miller

British Dictionary definitions for ferrule

ferrule

ferule

/ (ˈfɛruːl, -rəl) /

noun

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

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

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

verb

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

Word Origin for ferrule

C17: from Middle English virole, from Old French virol, from Latin viriola a little bracelet, from viria bracelet; influenced by Latin ferrum iron

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