Definition

A small, elongated carnivorous mammal domesticated for hunting rabbits and rodents, or as a pet; also used as a verb meaning to search intensively or to uncover hidden information.

Example Usage

The detective continued to ferret out the truth, following leads that others had overlooked in the investigation.

Origin

From Old French 'furet,' derived from Latin 'fur' meaning 'thief,' reflecting the animal's reputation for stealing into burrows and small spaces.

Fun Fact

Domestic ferrets have been selectively bred for over 2,000 years and were historically used to control rabbit populations in medieval Europe before they became popular household pets.

Source: Definition backfill (hailey)

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