Meaning & use
ferrule
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Meanings
nouncountable
A ring or cap, usually of metal, fitted on the end of a stick or tool to prevent splitting or wear.
Grammar: A countable noun: a brass ferrule, two ferrules.
Patterns
- a ferrule on something
- a metal ferrule
The cane has a rubber ferrule to stop it slipping.
A brass ferrule keeps the paintbrush bristles attached to the handle.
He replaced the worn ferrule at the end of his umbrella.
nouncountabletechnical
A small tube or sleeve crimped onto a wire or pipe to make a secure connection.
Grammar: Used in electrical and plumbing work for a connecting sleeve.
Patterns
- crimp a ferrule
- a wire ferrule
The electrician crimped a ferrule onto each wire end.
Ferrules stop stranded cable from fraying in a terminal.
Plumbers use a compression ferrule to seal the joint.
Word forms
| plural | ferrules |
|---|
Common combinations
- brass ferrule
- The pencil has a brass ferrule holding the eraser.
- metal ferrule
- A metal ferrule reinforced the handle.
- crimp a ferrule
- Use pliers to crimp a ferrule onto the cable.
- paintbrush ferrule
- The paintbrush ferrule had rusted.
Synonyms and how they differ
- collar
- Collar is a general term for a band around something, while ferrule is a specific reinforcing ring or cap.
- cap
- A cap covers the end completely, but a ferrule can be an open ring.
- sleeve
- Sleeve implies a tube that covers a length, which is longer than a typical ferrule.
- band
- A band is a simple ring, while ferrule implies a protective or fastening role.
Word family
- ferrel noun
- an older variant spelling of ferrule
- ferruled adjective
- fitted with a ferrule
- ferrule-end noun
- the end of a tool where the ferrule sits
Commonly confused: ferrule or ferule?
ferrule vs ferule
Ferule is a variant spelling of ferula, a plant, and is also sometimes the spelling for a rod used to punish pupils, which is different from the metal ring.
Practice
What is the job of a ferrule on the end of a walking stick?
Choose one answer.
A ferrule is a cap or ring that reinforces and protects the end of a stick. The other options do not describe its function.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “ferrule”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.