ferula

American  

[fer-oo-luh, fer-yoo-] / ˈfɛr ʊ lə, ˈfɛr yʊ- /

noun

plural

ferulas, ferulae

1. Botany. any of various plants belonging to the genus Ferula, of the parsley family, chiefly of the Mediterranean region and central Asia, generally tall and coarse with dissected leaves, many of the Asian species yielding strongly scented, medicinal gum resins.

2. ferule.

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ferula British  

/ ˌfɛruːˈleɪʃəs, ˌfɛrjuː-, ˈfɛrʊlə, ˈfɛrjʊ- /

noun

1. any large umbelliferous plant of the Mediterranean genus Ferula , having thick stems and dissected leaves: cultivated as the source of several strongly scented gum resins, such as galbanum

2. a rare word for ferule 1

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Other Word Forms

• ferulaceous adjective

Etymology

Origin of ferula

1350–1400; Middle English < New Latin, Latin; see ferule ¹

Example Sentences

Perhaps the ferula had been applied to him at Constantinople in old days. 

From Roman and the Teuton by Kingsley, Charles

In this place we are called upon to consider, whether it be more agreeable to have Latin or the ferula at our fingers’ ends.

From The Comic Latin Grammar A new and facetious introduction to the Latin tongue by Leech, John

With a bounding heart, he tossed away his ferula, and hastened to the scene, where joys for evermore seemed calling on him.

From The Life of Friedrich Schiller Comprehending an Examination of His Works by Carlyle, Thomas

If life was laborious under his ferula, it was also merry.

From Fabre, Poet of Science by Miall, Bernard

Squill, scilla maritima, garlic, leek, onion, allium, asafœtida, ferula asafœtida, gum ammoniac, benzoin, tar, pix liquida, balsam of Tolu.

From Zoonomia, Vol. II Or, the Laws of Organic Life by Darwin, Erasmus