ferret 1
— ferreter , n. — ferrety , adj.
/fer"it/ , n.
1. a domesticated, usually red-eyed, and albinic variety of the polecat, used in Europe for driving rabbits and rats from their burrows.
2. See black-footed ferret .
v.t.
3. to drive out by using or as if using a ferret (often fol. by out ): to ferret rabbits from their burrows; to ferret out enemies.
4. to hunt with ferrets.
5. to hunt over with ferrets: to ferret a field.
6. to search out, discover, or bring to light (often fol. by out ): to ferret out the facts.
7. to harry, worry, or torment: His problems ferreted him day and night.
v.i.
8. to search about.
[ 1350-1400; ME fer ( r ) et ( te ), fyret, furet furet furittus, equiv. to fur thief ( -ittus -ET ]
ferret 2
/fer"it/ , n.
a narrow tape or ribbon, as of silk or cotton, used for binding, trimming, etc.
[ 1570-80; alter. of It fioretto floss silk, lit., little flower, equiv. to fior ( e ) ( florem; see FLOWER) + -etto -ET ]