I. ˈferəl noun
also fer·u·la ˈfer(y)ələ
( -s )
Etymology: Latin ferula giant fennel, whip, rod for punishment
1. : any of several instruments (as a rod, switch, or ruler) used to punish school children ; specifically : a flat piece of wood like a ruler used especially on the hands
2. : punishment with a ferule
as boys that slink from ferule — Alfred Tennyson
3. : school discipline
this tutelage under Miss Newcomb's ferule — Dixon Wecter
II. transitive verb
( -ed/-ing/-s )
: to punish with a ferule