Transcription
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- US Pronunciation
- US IPA
- UK Pronunciation
- UK IPA
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- [fer-it out]
- /ˈfɛr ɪt aʊt/
- /ˈfer.ɪt ˈaʊt/
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- US Pronunciation
- US IPA
-
- [fer-it out]
- /ˈfɛr ɪt aʊt/
Definitions of ferret out words
- noun ferret out a domesticated, usually red-eyed, and albinic variety of the polecat, used in Europe for driving rabbits and rats from their burrows. 1
- noun ferret out black-footed ferret. 1
- verb with object ferret out to drive out by using or as if using a ferret (often followed by out): to ferret rabbits from their burrows; to ferret out enemies. 1
- verb with object ferret out to hunt with ferrets. 1
- verb with object ferret out to hunt over with ferrets: to ferret a field. 1
- verb with object ferret out to harry, worry, or torment: His problems ferreted him day and night. 1
Information block about the term
Origin of ferret out
First appearance:
before 1350 One of the 20% oldest English words
1350-1400; Middle English fer(r)et(te), fyret, furet < Middle French furet < Vulgar Latin *furittus, equivalent to fūr thief (< Latin) + -ittus -et
Historical Comparancy
Parts of speech for Ferret out
noun
adjective
verb
adverb
pronoun
preposition
conjunction
determiner
exclamation
ferret out popularity
A common word. It’s meaning is known to most children of preschool age. About 93% of English native speakers know the meaning and use the word.
Most Europeans know this English word. The frequency of it’s usage is somewhere between "mom" and "screwdriver".
ferret out usage trend in Literature
This diagram is provided by Google Ngram ViewerSynonyms for ferret out
verb ferret out
- unearth — to dig or get out of the earth; dig up.
- bring to light — something that makes things visible or affords illumination: All colors depend on light.
- ascertain — If you ascertain the truth about something, you find out what it is, especially by making a deliberate effort to do so.
- uncover — to lay bare; disclose; reveal.
- get at — to receive or come to have possession, use, or enjoyment of: to get a birthday present; to get a pension.
See also
Matching words
- Words starting with f
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