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ferule

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noun fer·ule \ˈfer-əl, ˈfe-rəl\

variants: or less commonly

ferula

play \ˈfer-(y)ə-lə\

Definition of ferule

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

Origin and Etymology of ferule

Latin ferula giant fennel, ferule

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First Known Use: 1566

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