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ferreting

fer·ret
F f

Transcription

    • US Pronunciation
    • US IPA
    • UK Pronunciation
    • UK IPA
    • [fer-it]
    • /ˈfɛr ɪt/
    • /ˈfer.ɪt/
    • US Pronunciation
    • US IPA
    • [fer-it]
    • /ˈfɛr ɪt/

Definitions of ferreting word

  • noun ferreting a domesticated, usually red-eyed, and albinic variety of the polecat, used in Europe for driving rabbits and rats from their burrows. 1
  • noun ferreting black-footed ferret. 1
  • verb with object ferreting to drive out by using or as if using a ferret (often followed by out): to ferret rabbits from their burrows; to ferret out enemies. 1
  • verb with object ferreting to hunt with ferrets. 1
  • verb with object ferreting to hunt over with ferrets: to ferret a field. 1
  • verb with object ferreting to search out, discover, or bring to light (often followed by out): to ferret out the facts. 1

Information block about the term

Origin of ferreting

First appearance:

before 1350
One of the 20% oldest English words
1350-1400; Middle English fer(r)et(te), fyret, furet < Middle French furet < Vulgar Latin *furittus, equivalent to fūr thief (< Latin) + -ittus -et

Historical Comparancy

Parts of speech for Ferreting

noun
adjective
verb
adverb
pronoun
preposition
conjunction
determiner
exclamation

ferreting popularity

A common word. It’s meaning is known to most children of preschool age. About 93% of English native speakers know the meaning and use the word.
According to our data about 57% of words is more used. This is a rare but used term. It occurs in the pages of specialized literature and in the speech of educated people.

ferreting usage trend in Literature

This diagram is provided by Google Ngram Viewer

Synonyms for ferreting

verb ferreting

  • shovel — an implement consisting of a broad blade or scoop attached to a long handle, used for taking up, removing, or throwing loose matter, as earth, snow, or coal.
  • forage — food for horses or cattle; fodder; provender.
  • probe — to search into or examine thoroughly; question closely: to probe one's conscience.
  • ransack — to search thoroughly or vigorously through (a house, receptacle, etc.): They ransacked the house for the missing letter.
  • unearth — to dig or get out of the earth; dig up.

Antonyms for ferreting

verb ferreting

  • ignore — to refrain from noticing or recognizing: to ignore insulting remarks.
  • dirty — soiled with dirt; foul; unclean: dirty laundry.
  • hide — Informal. to administer a beating to; thrash.
  • laze — to idle or lounge lazily (often followed by around): I was too tired to do anything but laze around this weekend.
  • tinker — a mender of pots, kettles, pans, etc., usually an itinerant.

See also

Matching words

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