ferret
a ferret out of its burrow
a kind of animal – mammal – related to the weasel family (?) – domesticated breed; small with long slender body and pointed muzzle (mouth and nose part); with soft fur (hair/coat) in some seven common colours; grows to 20-24 inches long, 6 inches tall, and weighs 800 grams to 2 Kg; feeds on (eats) mostly rabbits, and small rodents; lives for 7-10 years; originally from Europe but now introduced to many countries, found as a pet in many homes all over the world
female ~~ jill or gill
baby ~~ kit
group ~~ business/fesnyng (also colony)
voice (call) ~~ dook (?) (dooking – a soft clucking noise)
home ~~ burrow (in the wild); cage (man-made)
There are two types of ferrets:
(a)
The domesticated ferrets in Europe, believed to be related to the ‘polecat’, is found as a pet, or as semi-domesticated in some parts of the world (In fact, some animal experts call ‘polecats’ ferrets; and this type of ferret is used for hunting rabbits, which is called ferreting (or rabbiting). With their long narrow bodies ferrets can go into the rabbits burrows and flush them out.
Ferrets are now found mostly as pets, though people in some European countries still use them in ferreting!
It is believed that ancient Romans domesticated ferrets for the purpose of hunting rabbits!
The word ‘ferret’ means “little thief”. And this name is very suitable for this small soft animal because it likes to ‘steal’ and store small things in their hiding places!
(b)
The domesticated ferrets introduced to new countries – the USA and Australia – which some how escaped into the wild, and have been leading a wild life (feral). The ‘black-footed ferret’, which feeds mostly on the ‘prairie dog’, in the USA is a good example, and is now on the list of endangered species!
a ferret molting
1.
ferret (noun) = a very inquisitive and persistent investigator [a person, normally a police officer or detective, who investigates a case thoroughly]
2.
to ferret (verb) =
(a) to drive out; to flush out , as from a hiding place
(b) to go hunting using ferrets
3.
(a) to ferret about
(b) to ferret out
(c) to ferret for something [(phrasal verb) = search out for something or someone continuously]
4.
(a) as red as a ferret
(b) eyes as red as a ferret’s
5.
to run the ferret [said of some action related to the activities of the railwaymen]
6.
to have eyes like a ferret [said of some having cruel, evil-looking eyes; or inquisitive eyes]
7.
to go rabbit-hunting with a dead ferret [said when an incentive no longer attractive is used]
About the Author:BC Kumar
BC Kumar, an English Language Teacher, taught in numerous countries including Ethiopia, Oman and India, shares his knowledge and passion for the English Language. Disclaimer: This is a free educational website and all content has been compiled by the author. All copyrights to images and videos belong to their respective owners.
