I. ˈfirəl, ˈfer- adjective
Etymology: Medieval Latin feralis, from Latin fera wild animal (from feminine of ferus wild) + -alis -al
1.
a. : suggestive of a beast of prey
feral teeth
specifically : characterized by inhuman ferocity
the feral hostility of his fellow officers as they denounced and judged him — Albert Hubbell
b. : being, characteristic of, or suggesting an animal in the state of nature
the human and feral inhabitants of the forest
as feral in her wariness as the fierce … dogs that stalked the countryside — Ann F. Wolfe
c. : lacking a human personality due to being reared in isolation from all or nearly all human contacts : not socialized
feral children who had been adopted by wolves
2.
a. : existing in a state of nature : not domesticated or cultivated
feral and semidomestic animals
b. : having escaped from domestication and become wild
several species introduced by settlers soon became feral
Synonyms: see brutal
II. adjective
Etymology: Latin feralis
1. archaic : causing death : deadly , fatal
thence come … feral diseases — Robert Burton
2. : of or relating to the dead : funereal , gloomy
in feral order slow the slaughter barges go — F.T.Palgrave