Main Entry: ¹fer·ret

Pronunciation: \ˈfer-ət\

Function: noun

Etymology: Middle English furet, ferret, from Anglo-French firet, furet, from Vulgar Latin *furittus, literally, little thief, diminutive of Latin fur thief — more at furtive

Date: 14th century

1 a : a domesticated usually albino, brownish, or silver-gray animal (Mustela putorius furo) that is descended from the European polecat b : black-footed ferret
2 : an active and persistent searcher

— fer·rety \-ə-tē\ adjective