1. [n]  domesticated albino variety of the European polecat bred for hunting rats and rabbits
2. [n]  ferret of prairie regions of United States; nearly extinct
3. [v]  hunt with ferrets
4. [v]  search and discover through persistent investigation; "She ferreted out the truth"
5. [v]  hound or harry relentlessly

1. \Fer"ret\, n. [F. furet, cf. LL. furo; prob. fr. L. fur
   thief (cf. {Furtive}); cf. Arm. fur wise, sly.] (Zo["o]l.)
   An animal of the Weasel family ({Mustela or 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.
   
   

2. \Fer"ret\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Ferreted}; p. pr. & vb.
   n. {Ferreting}.] [Cf. F. fureter. See {Ferret}, 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.
   
         Master Fer! I'll fer him, and firk him, and ferret him.
                                                  --Shak.
   
   

3. \Fer"ret\, n. [Ital. foretto, dim. of fiore flower; or F.
   fleuret. Cf. {Floret}.]
   A kind of narrow tape, usually made of woolen; sometimes of
   cotton or silk; -- called also {ferreting}.
   
   

4. \Fer"ret\, n. [F. feret, dim. or fer iron, L. ferrum.]
   (Glass Making)
   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.
   
   

Lev. 11:30 (R.V., "gecko"), one of the unclean creeping things. It was perhaps the Lacerta gecko which was intended by the Hebrew word (anakah, a cry, "mourning," the creature which groans) here used, i.e., the "fan-footed" lizard, the gecko which makes a mournful wail. The LXX. translate it by a word meaning "shrew-mouse," of which there are three species in Palestine. The Rabbinical writers regard it as the hedgehog. The translation of the Revised Version is to be preferred.