■ noun
1》 the short, fine, soft hair of certain animals.
↘the skin of an animal with ~ on it, used in making or trimming garments.
↘ Heraldry any of several heraldic tinctures representing animal skins in stylized form (e.g. ermine).
2》 a coat made from ~.
3》 Brit. a coating formed by hard water on the inside surface of a pipe, kettle, etc.
4》 a coating formed on the tongue as a symptom of sickness.
■ verb ( ~s , ~ring , ~red )
1》 Brit. coat or clog with a deposit.
2》 level (floor or wall timbers) by inserting strips of wood.
Phrases
~ and feather game mammals and birds.
the ~ will fly informal there will be trouble or a fierce argument.
Derivatives
~less adjective
-~red adjective
Origin
ME: from OFr. forrer 'to line, sheathe', from forre 'sheath', of Gmc origin.