noun
ferret
FEH-riht
noun
1
A small, slender, domesticated relative of the weasel, sometimes used to hunt rabbits and other burrowing animals.
"He keeps two pet ferrets that love to explore tunnels made of cardboard tubes."
2
A person who searches persistently and thoroughly.
"She's a real ferret when it comes to tracking down bargains."
verb
1
To search persistently until something hidden is found (usually "ferret out").
"Investigators ferreted out the truth after months of digging."
"He ferreted out an old photograph buried in the attic."
How to Use Ferret
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishEither the small weasel-like animal, or (as a verb) digging persistently to uncover something hidden.
Common pairings
ferret out the truth
pet ferret
ferret out information
Word Forms
ferreted past tense, ferrets plural, ferrets singular
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Etymology
From Old French furet, from Vulgar Latin furittum, "little thief" — a nod to the animal's sly, thieving reputation.