Wednesday, April 22, 2009

Noteworthy Words: Ferrule and Feral

(More than you needed to know!)

ferrule:
Function: noun
Etymology: alteration of Middle English virole, from Anglo-French, from Latin viriola, diminutive of viria bracelet, of Celtic origin; akin to Old Irish fiar oblique
1 : a ring or cap usually of metal put around a slender shaft (as a cane or a tool handle) to strengthen it or prevent splitting
2 : a usually metal sleeve used especially for joining or binding one part to another (as pipe sections or the bristles and handle of a brush)
- fer·ruled adjective

feral:
Function: adjective
Etymology: Medieval Latin feralis, from Latin fera wild animal, from feminine of ferus wild — more at fierce
Date: 1604
1: of, relating to, or suggestive of a wild beast
2 a: not domesticated or cultivated : wild b: having escaped from domestication and become wild


"A feral man from the jungle broke into my art studio and beat me to death with my ferruled cane. Then he stabbed me for good measure with several ferruled paint brushes. Ouch."

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