Definition of FERRET

ferret

Meanings

Plural: ferrets

Noun

  • musteline mammal of prairie regions of United States; nearly extinct
  • domesticated albino variety of the European polecat bred for hunting rats and rabbits
  • An often domesticated mammal (Mustela putorius furo) rather like a weasel, descended from the polecat and often trained to hunt burrowing animals.
  • A black-footed ferret (Mustela nigripes).
  • A diligent searcher.
  • A tape of silk, cotton, or ribbon, used to tie documents, clothing, etc. or along the edge of fabric.

Verb

  • hound or harry relentlessly
  • hunt with ferrets
  • search and discover through persistent investigation
    • "She ferreted out the truth"
  • To hunt game with ferrets.
  • To uncover and bring to light by searching; usually to ferret out.

Origin / Etymology

From Middle English furet, ferret, from Old French furet, from Vulgar Latin *furittum (“weasel, ferret”), diminutive of Latin fūr (“thief”).

Synonyms

black-footed ferret, ferret out, Mustela nigripes

Scrabble Score: 9

ferret is a valid Scrabble (US) TWL word
ferret is a valid Scrabble Word in Merriam-Webster MW Dictionary
ferret is a valid Scrabble Word in International Collins CSW Dictionary

Words With Friends Score: 9

ferret is a valid Words With Friends word