ferret
ferret Lexical Profile
ferret Game Scores & Validity
• noun
A domesticated, typically brown, black, white, or mixed-color mammal belonging to the weasel family, possessing a long slender body and often kept as a pet or historically used for hunting rabbits.
"The playful ferret darted under the sofa and emerged moments later with a stolen sock."
• verb
To search persistently and systematically in order to uncover or discover something hidden.
"The investigative journalist worked for months to ferret out the truth behind the political scandal."
To hunt or clear out rabbits, rodents, or other small game using ferrets.
"The gamekeeper spent the cold winter morning ferreting in the warrens along the edge of the estate."
Word Nuance & Usage
As a verb, 'ferret' is almost invariably paired with the particle 'out' (as 'ferret out') to mean persistently uncovering hidden information.
• Rhymes for ferret
Word Origin & Etymology
From Middle English 'foret', borrowed from Old French 'furet', a diminutive of 'fur' (meaning 'thief'), ultimately derived from the Latin 'fur'. The name playfully references the animal's habit of stashing away stolen items.
Usage Trend
Historical frequency of usage in published text.