fur

¹ American  

[fur] / fɜr /

noun

1. the fine, soft, thick, hairy coat of the skin of a mammal.

2. the skin of certain animals, as the sable, ermine, or beaver, covered with such a coat, used for lining, trimming, or making garments.

3. a garment made of fur.

4. any coating resembling or suggesting fur, as certain matter on the tongue.

5. Heraldry. any conventional representation of a fur, as ermine, vair, potent, or their variations.

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adjective

1. of or relating to fur, animal skins, dressed pelts, etc..

   a fur coat;

   a fur trader.

verb (used with object)

furred, furring

1. to line, face, or trim, with fur, as a garment.

2. Building Trades. to apply furring to (a wall, ceiling, etc.).

3. to clothe (a person) with fur.

4. to coat with foul or deposited matter.

idioms

1. make the fur fly,

   1. to cause a scene or disturbance, especially of a violent nature; make trouble.

      When the kids got mad they really made the fur fly.

   2. to do things quickly.

      He sure makes the fur fly when it’s his turn to do the housecleaning.

fur. ² American  

abbreviation

1. furlong; furlongs.

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fur ¹ British  

/ fɜː /

noun

1. the dense coat of fine silky hairs on such mammals as the cat, seal, and mink

2. 1. the dressed skin of certain fur-bearing animals, with the hair left on

   2. ( as modifier )

      a fur coat

3. a garment made of fur, such as a coat or stole

4. 1. a pile fabric made in imitation of animal fur

   2. a garment made from such a fabric

5. heraldry any of various stylized representations of animal pelts or their tinctures, esp ermine or vair, used in coats of arms

6. informal a whitish coating of cellular debris on the tongue, caused by excessive smoking, an upset stomach, etc

7. a whitish-grey deposit consisting chiefly of calcium carbonate precipitated from hard water onto the insides of pipes, boilers, and kettles

8. to cause a scene or disturbance

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verb

1. (tr) to line or trim a garment, etc, with fur

2. (often foll by up) to cover or become covered with a furlike lining or deposit

3. (tr) to clothe (a person) in a fur garment or garments

fur. ² British  

abbreviation

1. furlong

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fur More Idioms  

1. see make the dust (fur) fly.

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Other Word Forms

• furless adjective

Etymology

Origin of fur

First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English furre (noun), derivative of furren “to trim with fur,” from Anglo-French furrer, Old French fo(u)rrer, originally “to encase,” derivative of fuerre “sheath,” from Germanic; akin to Old English fōdder “case, sheath,” Old Norse fōthr, Greek pṓma

Example Sentences

She arrived to the Marriott hotel sporting a bright red sports bra and leggings, paired with a large fur coat to shield her from the beach chill.

From Los Angeles Times

In her short fur coat and bright pink lips, she said she is well aware of "everything that's happening in the world, and where black and white lie."

From Barron's

In a recent expedition to Antarctica, new cases were discovered in Antarctic cormorants, kelp gulls, Adelie and gentoo penguins, and Antarctic fur seals, Neira told AFP.

From Barron's

The wind passed, the tail of a storm roaring out to sea, and Nim was snug in her sea lion shelter, breathing the warm smell of fur.

From Literature

Nothing seems to ruffle his fur as this political veteran glides from crisis to crisis with feline calm, and the lick of a paw.

From Barron's

Related Words

• coat
• jacket
• pelt
• skin
• wool