Definition of ferret

• n. - An animal of the Weasel family (Mustela / 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.
• n. - 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.
• n. - A kind of narrow tape, usually made of woolen; sometimes of cotton or silk; -- called also ferreting.
• n. - 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.