n. [ F. furet, cf. LL. furo; prob. fr. L. fur thief (cf. Furtive); cf. Arm. fur wise, sly. ] (Zool.) An animal of the Weasel family (Mustela furo syn. Putorius furo), about fourteen inches in length, of a pale yellow or white color, with red eyes. It is a native of Africa, but has been domesticated in Europe. Ferrets are used to drive rabbits and rats out of their holes. They are sometimes kept as pets. [ 1913 Webster +PJC ]
v. t.
Master Fer! I'll fer him, and firk him, and ferret him. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]
n. [ Ital. foretto, dim. of fiore flower; or F. fleuret. Cf. Floret. ] A kind of narrow tape, usually made of woolen; sometimes of cotton or silk; -- called also
n. [ F. feret, dim. or fer iron, L. ferrum. ] (Glass Making) The iron used for trying the melted glass to see if is fit to work, and for shaping the rings at the mouths of bottles. [ 1913 Webster ]
n. One who ferrets. Johnson. [ 1913 Webster ]
n. (Zool.) The spur-winged goose; -- so called from the red circle around the eyes. [ 1913 Webster ]
n. [ It. ferretto di Spagna, dim. of ferro iron, fr. L. ferrum. ] Copper sulphide, used to color glass. Hebert. [ 1913 Webster ]