ferret

¹

[ fer-it ]

noun

1. a domesticated, usually red-eyed, and albinic variety of the polecat, used in Europe for driving rabbits and rats from their burrows.
2. black-footed ferret.

verb (used with object)

1. to drive out by using or as if using a ferret (often followed by out ):

   to ferret rabbits from their burrows;

   to ferret out enemies.

2. to hunt with ferrets.
3. to hunt over with ferrets:

   to ferret a field.

4. to search out, discover, or bring to light (often followed by out ):

   to ferret out the facts.

5. to harry, worry, or torment:

   His problems ferreted him day and night.

verb (used without object)

1. to search about.

ferret

²

[ fer-it ]

noun

1. a narrow tape or ribbon, as of silk or cotton, used for binding, trimming, etc.

ferret

¹

/ ˈfɛrɪt /

noun

1. a domesticated albino variety of the polecat Mustela putorius , bred for hunting rats, rabbits, etc
2. an assiduous searcher
3. black-footed ferret
   a musteline mammal, Mustela nigripes , of W North America, closely related to the weasels

verb

1. to hunt (rabbits, rats, etc) with ferrets
2. trusually foll byout to drive from hiding

   to ferret out snipers

3. trusually foll byout to find by persistent investigation
4. intr to search around

ferret

²

/ ˈfɛrɪt /

noun

1. silk binding tape

Derived Forms

• ˈferrety, adjective
• ˈferreter, noun

Other Words From

• ferret·er noun
• ferret·y adjective
• un·ferret·ed adjective
• un·ferret·ing adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of ferret¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English feret, furet, from Middle French furet, fuiret, from Vulgar Latin furittus (unrecorded), equivalent to fūr “thief” + -ittus -et

Origin of ferret²

First recorded in 1570–80; alteration of Italian fioretto “floss silk,” literally, “little flower,” equivalent to fior(e) + -etto diminutive ending; flower, -et

Word History and Origins

Origin of ferret¹

C14: from Old French furet , from Latin fur thief

Origin of ferret²

C16: from Italian fioretti floss silk, plural of fioretto : a little flower, from fiore flower, from Latin flōs

Example Sentences

Check out the rest of the interview with Ralph who discusses driving vintage cars, brucellosis, working with birds of prey and ferret roulette.

From Salon

What the Art Show demonstrates, however, is the fleet-footed ability of contemporary galleries — compared with larger or besieged institutions — to ferret out lesser-known artists and showcase them in compact, distinctive displays.

From New York Times

After his employees hang him in effigy, the tycoon goes undercover to ferret out the agitators of a union drive led by a store clerk in the shoe department and a union organizer.

From Salon

Isobel befriends each of the women, ferreting out their deepest secrets and encouraging their worst — or at least wildest — behavior.

From New York Times

Inquisitors will ferret out departures from the true faith.

From New York Times

Related Words

• check
• comb
• examine
• explore
• go through
• hunt
• hunt for
• inspect
• investigate
• look
• probe
• ransack
• scan
• scour
• scout
• scrutinize
• seek
• sift