Nearby Words
Ferret Out ferret.pronto.com/ 10+ Ferret Out Products Shop, Compare and Save at Pronto.
Ferrett www.ask.com/Ferrett Questions Ferrett Ferrett Answers
Ferrets losangeles.local.com/ Find ferrets here. We offer local search in your area.
Ads
noun
1.
a domesticated, usually red-eyed, and albinic variety of the polecat, used in Europe for driving rabbits and rats from their burrows.
verb (used with object)
3.
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.
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 followed by out): to ferret out the facts.
7.
to harry, worry, or torment: His problems ferreted him day and night.
00:10
00:09
00:08
00:07
00:06
00:05
00:04
00:03
00:02
00:01
Ferret out
is always a great word to know.
So is ninnyhammer. Does it mean:
| a stew of meat, vegetables, potatoes, etc. |
| a fool or simpleton; ninny. |
verb (used without object)
8.
to search about.
Origin:
1350–1400; Middle English fer(r)et(te), fyret, furet < Middle French furet < Vulgar Latin *furittus, equivalent to fūr thief (< Latin ) + -ittus -et
1350–1400; Middle English fer(r)et(te), fyret, furet < Middle French furet < Vulgar Latin *furittus, equivalent to fūr thief (< Latin ) + -ittus -et
Related forms
fer·ret·er, noun
fer·ret·y, adjective
un·fer·ret·ed, adjective
un·fer·ret·ing, adjective
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2012.
Cite This Source
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2012.
Cite This Source
|
Link To ferret out
American Heritage
Idioms & Phrases
ferret out
Uncover and bring to light by searching, as in Sandy was a superb reporter, tireless in ferreting out whatever facts were needed for her story. This expression alludes to hunting with ferrets, weasel-like animals formerly used to drive rabbits out of their burrows. [c. 1600]
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.
Copyright © 1997. Published by Houghton Mifflin.
Cite This Source
Copyright © 1997. Published by Houghton Mifflin.
Cite This Source
Word Dynamo By Dictionary.com
Dictionary.com, LLC. Copyright © 2012. All rights reserved.
