ferule

¹

[ fer-uhl, -ool ]

noun

1. Also 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.

1. to punish with a ferule.

ferule

²

[ fer-uhl, -ool ]

noun

, fer·uled, fer·ul·ing.

1. ferrule.

ferule

¹

/ -rəl; ˈfɛruːl /

noun

1. a flat piece of wood, such as a ruler, used in some schools to cane children on the hand

verb

1. rare.
   tr to punish with a ferule

ferule

²

/ ˈfɛruːl; -rəl /

noun

1. a variant spelling of ferrule

Word History and Origins

Origin of ferule¹

1375–1425; late Middle English ferula, ferul ( e ) giant fennel < Latin ferula schoolmaster's rod (literally, stalk of giant fennel); replacing Old English ferele < Latin

Word History and Origins

Origin of ferule¹

C16: from Latin ferula giant fennel, whip, rod; the stalk of the plant was used for punishment

Example Sentences

Mr. Sharpe did not seem sensible that these hands he cut with the ferule were the same which, an hour later, bleeding, bandaged, arranged his frock-coats according to his order.

From Literature

Yen picked up his ferule and hit it like a student.

From Literature

About 1844 he exchanged the theodolite for the ferule, and became English master in the Collegiate School at Leicester, in which town he found a congenial friend in the person of his future fellow-traveller, Henry Walter Bates.

From Project Gutenberg

As St. Bernard says, boys were inducted into the episcopate at an age when they rejoiced rather at escaping from the ferule of their teachers than at acquiring rule; but, soon growing insolent, they learn to sell the altar and empty the pouches of their subjects.

From Project Gutenberg

But there, alas! the ferule of his stick came to the ground with a mighty thud; the sweetness and light faded from his eyes as they rested upon Mr. Swainson's plot; the condescension and good-will became conspicuous only by their absence.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• nightstick
• truncheon