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Intermediate Dictionary
       

fer·ret

ferret

 
pronunciation:
fe rt
parts of speech:
noun, verb
features:
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part of speech: noun
definition 1: a small mammal with light-colored fur mixed with brown fur. Ferrets are a kind of weasel. They live in the plains of North America, where they eat prairie dogs. The North American ferret is closely related to the European ferret, or polecat.
 
definition 2: a European polecat that has been domesticated for use in hunting rabbits and rodents.
 
part of speech: verb
inflections: ferrets, ferreting, ferreted
definition 1: to use ferrets to hunt for small burrowing animals such as rabbits or rodents.
definition 2: to search for lost or hidden items or information.
The detective tried to ferret out a clue to solve the mystery.
similar words:
root
derivation: ferreter (n.)
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See
  mammal, pet