[fer-uh
l, -ool] 
noun, verb, -ruled, -ul⋅ing.| 1. | Also, ferula. a rod, cane, or flat piece of wood for punishing children, esp. by striking them on the hand. |
| 2. | to punish with a ferule. |
[fer-uhl, -ool] noun, verb, -ruled, -rul⋅ing.| 1. | a ring or cap, usually of metal, put around the end of a post, cane, or the like, to prevent splitting. |
| 2. | a short metal sleeve for strengthening a tool handle at the end holding the tool. |
| 3. | a bushing or adapter holding the end of a tube and inserted into a hole in a plate in order to make a tight fit, used in boilers, condensers, etc. |
| 4. | a short ring for reinforcing or decreasing the interior diameter of the end of a tube. |
| 5. | a short plumbing fitting, covered at its outer end and caulked or otherwise fixed to a branch from a pipe so that it can be removed to give access to the interior of the pipe. |
| 6. | Angling.
|
| 7. | to furnish with a ferrule. |
| fer·ule (fěr'əl) n. An instrument, such as a cane, stick, or flat piece of wood, used in punishing children. tr.v. fer·uled, fer·ul·ing, fer·ules To punish with a ferule. [Middle English ferul, fennel stalk, from Latin ferula, fennel stalk, rod.] |