Main Entry:

fer·ule

Pronunciation:

\ˈfer-əl, ˈfe-rəl\

Variant(s):

also fer·u·la \ˈfer-(y)ə-lə\

Function:

noun

Etymology:

Latin ferula giant fennel, ferule

Date:

1566

1 : an instrument (as a flat piece of wood like a ruler) used to punish children 2 : school discipline