The word "ferret," meaning a small carnivorous mammal, is spelled with two "r's" and one "t." The IPA phonetic transcription for "ferret" is /ˈfɛrɪt/, with the stress on the first syllable. The "e" in the first syllable is pronounced as in "bed," while the second syllable has a short "i" sound like in "kit." The double "r" is pronounced as a flap, like in the word "terra." Overall, the spelling of "ferret" accurately represents its pronunciation.
Ferret is a noun referring to a domesticated small mammal that belongs to the mustelid family, along with weasels and otters. Scientifically known as Mustela putorius furo, ferrets have long, slender bodies with short legs and a tapered tail. They typically measure around 20 inches in length, including the tail, and weigh between 1 and 5 pounds. Known for their playful and inquisitive nature, ferrets make popular pets.
In terms of appearance, ferrets have a dense and silky fur coat, usually colored in various shades of brown, cream, or white. They possess a long, slender snout, small ears, and sharp teeth. Their keen sense of smell, hearing, and sight allows them to effectively navigate their surroundings.
Historically, ferrets were domesticated for their hunting abilities. They were utilized to flush out rabbits and rats from their burrows and dens during hunting expeditions. Nowadays, with the advent of modern farming practices, ferrets are commonly kept solely as pets and companion animals due to their friendly and sociable nature. They require proper education and supervision to socialize well with humans and other animals. Additionally, ferrets are highly energetic animals and necessitate ample exercise and mental stimulation to promote their overall well-being.
• An animal of the weasel kind used to hunt out rabbits from their holes.
• To drive out of a lurking-place; to find out or discover as a ferret does.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.
The word "ferret" has its origins in the Latin word "furittus" or "furetus", which means "little thief" or "thief of game". This Latin term is based on "fur", meaning "thief" or "to steal", reflecting the ferret's reputation as a skilled hunter and being used for hunting purposes. The Latin term then evolved into the Old French word "furet", which eventually became the English word "ferret" as we know it today.