Ferret

Fer´ret

n.	1.	(Zool.) An animal of the Weasel family (Mustela furo syn. Putorius furo), about fourteen inches in length, of a pale yellow or white color, with red eyes. It is a native of Africa, but has been domesticated in Europe. Ferrets are used to drive rabbits and rats out of their holes. They are sometimes kept as pets.
v. t.	1.	To drive or hunt out of a lurking place, as a ferret does the cony; to search out by patient and sagacious efforts; - often used with out; as, to ferret out a secret. [imp. & p. p. Ferreted; p. pr. & vb. n. Ferreting.] Master Fer! I'll fer him, and firk him, and ferret him. - Shak.
n.	1.	A kind of narrow tape, usually made of woolen; sometimes of cotton or silk; - called also ferreting.
	1.	(Glass Making) The iron used for trying the melted glass to see if is fit to work, and for shaping the rings at the mouths of bottles.

Noun	1.	ferret - ferret of prairie regions of United States; nearly extinct Synonyms: black-footed ferret, Mustela nigripes
	2.	ferret - domesticated albino variety of the European polecat bred for hunting rats and rabbits
Verb	1.	ferret - hound or harry relentlessly
	2.	ferret - hunt with ferrets
	3.	ferret - search and discover through persistent investigation; "She ferreted out the truth" Synonyms: ferret out