Ferret

English Meaning

An animal of the Weasel family (Mustela or Putorius furo), about fourteen inches in length, of a pale yellow or white color, with red eyes. It is a native of Africa, but has been domesticated in Europe. Ferrets are used to drive rabbits and rats out of their holes.

1. A weasellike, usually albino mammal (Mustela putorius furo) related to the polecat and often trained to hunt rats or rabbits.
2. A black-footed ferret.
3. To hunt (rabbits, for example) with ferrets.
4. To drive out, as from a hiding place; expel.
5. To uncover and bring to light by searching. Often used with out: "Their work merely points the way for others to ferret out the core components of all proteins” ( Natalie Angier).
6. To hound or harry persistently; worry.
7. To engage in hunting with ferrets.
8. To search intensively.
9. A narrow piece of tape used to bind or edge fabric.