ferrule

or fer·ule

[ fer-uhl, -ool ]

noun

1. a ring or cap, usually of metal, put around the end of a post, cane, or the like, to prevent splitting.
2. a short metal sleeve for strengthening a tool handle at the end holding the tool.
3. 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.
4. a short ring for reinforcing or decreasing the interior diameter of the end of a tube.
5. 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.
6. Angling.
   1. 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.
   2. 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.

1. to furnish with a ferrule.

ferrule

/ ˈfɛruːl; -rəl /

noun

1. 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
2. a side opening in a pipe that gives access for inspection or cleaning
3. a bush, gland, small length of tube, etc, esp one used for making a joint

verb

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of ferrule¹

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 -ole ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of ferrule¹

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

Example Sentences

It’s hard to get off my paint brush ferrules and work ladders.

From Seattle Times

“Nothing,” said Henry, tracing a pattern on the floor with the sharp, glinting ferrule of his umbrella.

From Literature

If the cotton wisp turns out to be too thin to match the color variations on your tile, try using a thin artist brush with the bristles cut off close to the ferrule.

From Washington Post

I have never had a pencil split along the length of the graphite or a ferrule separate.

From New York Times

And Rankine does not neglect such memorably sinister instances as the mysterious Umbrella Man present at Kennedy’s assassination and the 1978 murder of Bulgarian dissident Georgi Markov by way of a poisoned ferrule.

From Washington Post

Related Words

• bar
• bat
• baton
• cane
• club
• rod
• slab
• stalk
• strip
• wand
• wedge