Learn an English word

ferrule ferrules

2011-08-04T05:39:00.000-07:00

N-COUNT
A ferrule is a metal or rubber cap that is fixed onto the end of a stick or post in order to prevent it from splitting or wearing down. (FORMAL)

ferrous

2011-08-04T05:38:00.000-07:00

ADJ ADJ n
Ferrous means containing or relating to iron
...ferrous metals
...ferrous chloride

ferris wheel

2011-08-04T05:37:00.000-07:00

N-COUNT
A Ferris wheel is a very large upright wheel with carriages around the edge of it which people can ride in. Ferris wheels are often found at theme parks or funfairs. (AM; in BRIT, use big wheel)

ferret

2011-08-03T05:36:00.000-07:00

PHRASAL VERB V P n (not pron), V n P

If you ferret out some information, you discover it by searching for it very thoroughly. (INFORMAL)
The team is trying to ferret out missing details..
I leave it to the reader to ferret these out
= unearth

antelope antelopes or antelope

2011-08-02T06:36:00.000-07:00

N-COUNT
An antelope is an animal like a deer, with long legs and horns, that lives in Africa or Asia. Antelopes are graceful and can run fast. There are many different types of antelope

ferret ferrets ferreting ferreted

2011-08-02T05:37:00.000-07:00

1 N-COUNT
A ferret is a small, fierce animal which is used for hunting rabbits and rats
2 VERB V about/around, V prep
If you ferret about for something, you look for it in a lot of different places or in a place where it is hidden. (BRIT INFORMAL)
She nonetheless continued to ferret about for possible jobs..
She ferreted among some papers
= search

abstruse

2011-08-02T05:34:00.000-07:00

ADJ disapproval
You can describe something as abstruse if you find it difficult to understand, especially when you think it could be explained more simply. (FORMAL)
...fruitless discussions about abstruse resolutions

ferocious

2011-08-01T05:30:00.000-07:00

1 ADJ
A ferocious animal, person, or action is very fierce and violent
...a ferocious guard-dog..
The police had had to deal with some of the most ferocious violence ever seen on the streets of London
= fierce
2 ADJ
A ferocious war, argument, or other form of conflict involves a great deal of anger, bitterness, and determination
Fighting has been ferocious..
A ferocious battle to select a new parliamentary candidate is in progress
3 ADJ
If you describe actions or feelings as ferocious, you mean that they are intense and determined
Lindbergh was startled at the ferocious depth of anti-British feeling

feral

2011-07-31T06:50:00.000-07:00

ADJ usu ADJ n
Feral animals are wild animals that are not owned or controlled by anyone, especially ones that belong to species which are normally owned and kept by people. (FORMAL)
...feral cats
* domesticated

fennel

2011-07-31T06:26:00.000-07:00

N-UNCOUNT
Fennel is a plant with a crisp rounded base and feathery leaves. It can be eaten as a vegetable or the leaves can be used as a herb

fender fenders

2011-07-30T06:24:00.000-07:00

1 N-COUNT
A fender is a low metal wall built around a fireplace, which stops any coals that fall out of the fire from rolling onto the carpet
...a brass fender
= guard
2 N-COUNT
A fender is the same as a fireguard
3 N-COUNT
The fenders of a car are the parts of the body over the wheels. (AM; in BRIT, use wing)
4 N-COUNT
The fender of a car is a bar at the front or back that protects the car if it bumps into something. (AM; in BRIT, use bumper)
5 N-COUNT
The fenders of a boat are objects which hang against the outside and protect it from damage when it comes next to a harbour wall or another boat

antediluvian

2011-07-28T06:46:00.000-07:00

ADJ
Antediluvian things are old or old-fashioned. (HUMOROUS)
...antediluvian attitudes to women