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ferule
1[ fer-uhl, -ool ]
/ ˈfɛr əl, -ul /
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noun
Also ferula. a rod, cane, or flat piece of wood for punishing children, especially by striking them on the hand.
verb (used with object), fer·uled, fer·ul·ing.
to punish with a ferule.
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Origin of ferule
11375–1425; late Middle English ferula, ferul(e) giant fennel <Latin ferula schoolmaster's rod (literally, stalk of giant fennel); replacing Old English ferele<Latin
Words nearby ferule
fertilization, fertilize, fertilizer, fertilizin, ferula, ferule, ferulic acid, ferv., fervency, fervent, fervently
Other definitions for ferule (2 of 2)
ferule2
[ fer-uhl, -ool ]
/ ˈfɛr əl, -ul /
noun, verb (used with object), fer·uled, fer·ul·ing.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
How to use ferule in a sentence
British Dictionary definitions for ferule (1 of 2)
ferule1
/ (ˈfɛruːl, -rəl) /
noun
a flat piece of wood, such as a ruler, used in some schools to cane children on the hand
verb
(tr) rare to punish with a ferule
Word Origin for ferule
C16: from Latin ferula giant fennel, whip, rod; the stalk of the plant was used for punishment
British Dictionary definitions for ferule (2 of 2)
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
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