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ferret
1[fer-it]
noun
a domesticated, usually red-eyed, and albinic variety of the polecat, used in Europe for driving rabbits and rats from their burrows.
verb (used with object)
to drive out by using or as if using a ferret (often followed byout ).
to ferret rabbits from their burrows;
to ferret out enemies.
to hunt with ferrets.
to hunt over with ferrets.
to ferret a field.
to search out, discover, or bring to light (often followed byout ).
to ferret out the facts.
to harry, worry, or torment.
His problems ferreted him day and night.
verb (used without object)
to search about.
ferret
2[fer-it]
noun
a narrow tape or ribbon, as of silk or cotton, used for binding, trimming, etc.
ferret
1/ ˈɛɪ /
noun
a domesticated albino variety of the polecat Mustela putorius , bred for hunting rats, rabbits, etc
an assiduous searcher
a musteline mammal, Mustela nigripes , of W North America, closely related to the weasels
verb
to hunt (rabbits, rats, etc) with ferrets
to drive from hiding
to ferret out snipers
to find by persistent investigation
(intr) to search around
ferret
2/ ˈɛɪ /
noun
silk binding tape
Other Word Forms
- ferreter noun
- ferrety adjective
- unferreted adjective
- unferreting adjective
- ˈڱٲ adjective
- ˈڱٱ noun
Word History and Origins
Word History and Origins
Origin of ferret1
Origin of ferret2
Example Sentences
The controversy prompted a more broadly-based movement to ferret out other Vietnamese celebrities suspected of conspiring against the country.
The fact that Duffy is wasting his time by making these threats and combing through awarded contracts to ferret out such putative violations is, however, a settled question: Of course he is.
But Ulman is too skeptical to suggest these yahoos could redeem themselves by ferreting out the real problems happening in her home country.
He also "ferreted about" in a "deception" to obtain false "dodgy" quotes to help the firm get the lucrative business.
While those investigations are time-limited, FBI agents can use the allotted time to practice techniques against targets, like recruiting informants and ferreting through their mail, financial transactions, phone data and abandoned trash.
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