/ ˈferɪt; NAmE / noun , verb
■ noun
a small aggressive animal with a long thin body, kept for chasing rabbits from their holes, killing rats , etc.
■ verb
1.
[ v + adv. / prep. ] ferret (about / around) (for sth) ( informal ) to search for sth that is lost or hidden among a lot of things :
She opened the drawer and ferreted around for her keys.
2.
[ v ] to hunt rabbits , rats , etc. using ferrets
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PHRASAL VERBS
- ferret sb/sth out
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WORD ORIGIN
late Middle English : from Old French fuiret , alteration of fuiron , based on late Latin furo thief, ferret, from Latin fur thief.