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