Definitions for: Ferret

[n] domesticated albino variety of the European polecat bred for hunting rats and rabbits
[n] ferret of prairie regions of United States; nearly extinct
[v] hunt with ferrets
[v] search and discover through persistent investigation; "She ferreted out the truth"
[v] hound or harry relentlessly

Webster (1913) Definition: Fer"ret, n. [F. furet, cf. LL. furo; prob. fr. L. fur
thief (cf. Furtive); cf. Arm. fur wise, sly.] (Zo["o]l.)
An animal of the Weasel family (Mustela or Putorius furo),
about fourteen inches in length, of a pale yellow or white
color, with red eyes. It is a native of Africa, but has been
domesticated in Europe. Ferrets are used to drive rabbits and
rats out of their holes.

Fer"ret, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Ferreted; p. pr. & vb.
n. Ferreting.] [Cf. F. fureter. See Ferret, n.]
To drive or hunt out of a lurking place, as a ferret does the
cony; to search out by patient and sagacious efforts; --
often used with out; as, to ferret out a secret.

Master Fer! I'll fer him, and firk him, and ferret him.
--Shak.

Fer"ret, n. [Ital. foretto, dim. of fiore flower; or F.
fleuret. Cf. Floret.]
A kind of narrow tape, usually made of woolen; sometimes of
cotton or silk; -- called also ferreting.

Fer"ret, n. [F. feret, dim. or fer iron, L. ferrum.]
(Glass Making)
The iron used for trying the melted glass to see if is fit to
work, and for shaping the rings at the mouths of bottles.

Synonyms: black-footed ferret, ferret out, Mustela nigripes

See Also: discover, find, fitch, foulmart, foumart, genus Mustela, hound, hunt, hunt, hunt down, Mustela, Mustela putorius, mustelid, musteline, musteline mammal, polecat, run, trace, track down

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