ferroprussic 
ferroprussic (fer-6-prus'ik), a. [< L. fernini, 
iron, + E. /n-ussic.J _Same M/Y0Camc. 
ferrosoferric (fe-ro-so-fer'ik), a. [< L. as if 
*ferrosus(<. ferrum, iron) + ferrum, iron, + -ic.~\ 
In chem., a term applied to those iron com- 
pounds in which three iron atoms form a nu- 
cleus or radical which is octivalent, as magnetic 
oxid of iron, Fe 3 O 4 . 
ferrotellurite (fer-o-tel'u-rlt), . [< L. ferrum, 
iron, + E. telliirite.'} A' little-known mineral 
from Colorado, occurring in delicate tufts of 
minute yellow crystals: it is supposed to be a 
tellurate of iron. 
ferrotype (fer'o-tip), 11. [< L. ferrum, iron, + 
Gr. Trjrof, impression.] A kind of positive 
photograph, so called because the sensitive 
film is laid on a sheet of enameled iron or tin ; 
a tintype. The plate is exposed in the camera 
and then developed in the ordinary way. 
ferrotyper (fer'o-ti-per), . One who makes 
ferrotypes ; a photographer who makes a spe- 
cialty of ferrotypes. 
This is the camera, and the only one, for the ferrotyper. 
Silver Sunbeam, p. 508. 
ferrous (fer'us), . [< L. ferrum, iron, + -ous."\ 
Pertaining to or obtained from iron ; specifi- 
cally, pertaining to iron in the bivalent condi- 
tion: contrasted with ferric (which see). 
It is necessary to ascertain whether the quantity of 
acetic acid present is sufficient to keep the ferrout ace- 
tate in solution. Workshop Receipts, 2d ser., p. 327. 
Ferrous compounds, those compounds in which the 
basic radical is a single bivalent atom of iron, as ferrous 
oxid, FeO. Also called iron protoxid. 
The ferrous com pounds whose radical is a single bivalent 
atom of iron. Cooke, Chem. Philos. 
ferruginated (fe-ro'ji-na-ted), a. [See femt- 
ginoint."] Having the color or properties of iron- 
rust. 
ferrugineous (fer-o-jin'e-vs), a. [= Sp. Pg. 
It. ferniHineo, < L. ferrugtneus : see ferrugi- 
nous."] Same as ferruginous. 
Hence they are cold, hot, sweet, stinking, purgative, di- 
uretick or ferrugineow. Ray, Works of Creation, i. 
ferruginous (fe-ro'ji-nus), a. [= F. ferrugi- 
neux = Sp. Pg. It. ferruginoso, < L. as if *fer- 
ruginosus, equiv. to ferruginus, commonly fer- 
rugineus, of the color of iron-rust, dark-red, 
dusky, of an iron taste, < ferrugo (ferrugin-), 
iron-rust, the color of iron-rust: see ferrugo."] 
1. Of the color of iron-rust; light reddish 
brown. 2. Of the nature of or containing 
iron. 
By this means I found the German spa to retain a little 
acidity, even here at London ; but more than one of our 
own ferruginous springs did not, even upon this trial, 
appear to have any. Boyle, Works, IV. 814. 
ferrugo (fe-ro'go), . [L., iron-rust, the color 
of iron-rust, < ferrum, iron. Cf . aerugo, albugo. ] 
In bot., a disease of plants commonly called 
rust (which see). It is caused by fungi of the family 
Uredinece, and especially of its largest genus, Pvectnia. 
Imp. Diet. [Not used.) 
ferrule 1 !, . See ferule 1 . 
ferrule 2 , ferule 2 (fer'il or -81), n. [Corrupt 
forms, simulating in the term, the word fer- 
ule 1 , and in the first syllable the L. ferrum, 
iron ; formerly ferrel, ferril, earlier verril, ver- 
rel, verel, virole, vyrole (see virole) ; < OF. virole, 
an iron ring put about the end of a staff, etc., 
a ferrule, F. virole = Sp. birola = Pg. virola, a 
ferrule, < ML. virola, a ring, a bracelet, equiv. 
to L. viriola, a little bracelet, dim. of mria, a 
bracelet, armlet (> It. viera, a ferrule, iron ring- 
bolt), < viere, twist, bind around, > vitta, a fil- 
let, band, akin to E. with 2 , withy, q. v.] 1. A 
ring or cap of metal put on a column, post, or 
staff, as on the lower end of a cane or an um- 
brella, to strengthen it or prevent it from wear- 
ing or splitting. 
The ferrel of his stick 
Trying the mortar's temper 'tween the chinks 
Of some new shop a-building. 
Browning, How it Strikes a Contemporary. 
2. A ring sliding on the shaft of a spear and 
holding firmly to it the long tangs of the head ; 
also, a ring or socket protecting the butt-end 
of a spear-shaft. The latter was also used as 
a weapon, or, when of a chisel form, as a tool. 
Compare eel ft. 3. In steam-boilers, a bushing 
for expanding the end of a flue. 4. The frame 
of a slate. 5. Anything like a ferrule (in 
sense 1) in form or position. 
A ferule of new bone formation, which is attached, 
above and below the breach, to the sound bone. 
Muck's Handbook of iled. Seifnces, V. 123. 
Split ferrule, a device for strengthening a fishing-rod at 
the weakest point, where the ferrule joins the wood. 
2187 
ferruled (for'ijld or -ild). '/. Fitted or furnished 
with a ferrule, i'arlijlc. 
ferruminate (fe-ro'mi-nat), . t. ; pret. and pp. 
ferriiiniiKitvd, i>i>r.Ji'n-iiiniiuiting. [< L./errw- 
minatus, pp. of ferruiiiiiiiire, cement, solder, < 
ferrumen, cement, solder, glue, < ferrum, iron.] 
To unite or solder, as metals. [Rare.] 
ferruinination (fe-ro-mi-na'shon), n. [< L. 
ferruinintitio(n-), < ferrttiHiiiiire": see ferrunti- 
i/uli:"] The soldering or uniting of metals. 
[Rare.] 
ferrum jaculi (fer'um jak'u-li). In her., same 
its i/heon. 
ferry (fer'i), v. ; pret. and pp. ferried, ppr.fer- 
''.'/'".'/ [^ ME. /men, carry, convey, convey in 
a boat, < AS. ferian, carry, convey, esp. convey 
in a boat, = OHG. ferian, MHG. vern = Icel. fer- 
ja = Dan. fcerge = Sw. farja, convey in a boat, 
ferry, = Goth, farjan, go by boat, row ; orig. 
caus. of AS.faran (=Goth./nrfl l n,etc.),go: see 
/are 1 .] I. trans. To carry or transport over a 
contracted body of water, as a river or strait, in 
a boat or other floating conveyance plying be- 
tween opposite shores. 
The lombe ther, with-outen spottej Wake, 
Hat3 feryed thyder hys fayre note. 
Alliteratire Poems (ed. Morris), i. 945. 
Over this river we were ferried. 
Coryat, Crudities, I. 1S3. 
They themselves, once ferried o'er the wave 
That parts us, are emancipate and loos'd. 
Cowper, Task, ii. 38. 
II. intrant. To pass over water in a boat. 
They ferry over tills Lethean sound 
Both to and fro, their sorrow to augment. 
Milton, P. L., ii. 604. 
ferry (fer'i), n. ; pi. ferries (-iz). [< ME. fery 
= D. veer = MHG. ver, vere, G. fahre = Icel. 
ferja = Dan. fcerge = Sw. farja, a ferry; cf. 
OHG. ferjo, fero, MHG. verje, verge, vere, G. 
ferge, a ferryman, boatman ; from the verb.] 
1. A boat or raft in which passengers and 
goods are conveyed over a river or other con- 
tracted body of water; a wherry. 
Bring them, I pray thee, with imagin'd speed, 
t'nto the traject, to the common ferry 
Which trades to Venice. Shot., M. of V., iii. 4. 
I went down to the river Brent in the ordinary /err,y. 
AddUon. 
2. The place or passage where boats pass over 
water to convey passengers and goods. 
I ... came to a little towne hard by the ferry where 
we were transported into the lie of France. 
Coryat, Crudities, I. 24. 
And I'll give ye a silver pound 
To row us o'er the ferry. 
Campbell, Lord Ullin's Daughter. 
3. A provision for the regular conveyance by 
boat or raft of passengers and goods across a 
river or other body of water between opposite 
shores : as, to establish a ferry ; also, the legal 
right to maintain such a conveyance, and to 
charge reasonable toll for the service. 
ferry-boat (fer'i-bot), . [< ME. feryboot, < 
fery, ferry, + boot, boat.] A vessel or boat 
moved by steam, sails, oars or sweeps, a tow- 
line, or the force of a current, used to convey 
passengers, vehicles, cattle, etc., across a river, 
harbor, or other contracted waterway between 
opposite shores. 
And there went over & ferry boat to carry over the king's 
household, and to do what he thought good. 
2 Sam. xix. 18. 
ferry-bridge (fer'i-brij), n. 1. A ferry-boat or 
scow used for transport over water. 2. The 
landing-stage or platform of a ferry, hinged at 
one end to the wharf, the other end being raised 
or lowered to the level of the incoming boat. 
[U. S.] 
ferryman (fer'i-man), n. ; p\. ferrymen (-men). 
[Formerly also ferriman; < ferry + man."] One 
who keeps or plies a ferry. 
I pass'd, methought, the melancholy flood. 
With that aar/RnynuMi which poets write of, 
Unto the kingdom of perpetual night. 
Shak., Rich. III., i. 4. 
Their ceremonies performed, they laid the corps in a 
boat, to be wafted overtAchenisia, a lake on the South of 
the city, by one only whom they call Charon : which gave 
to Orpheus the invention of his infernall/erri-wan. 
Sandys, Travailes, p. 105. 
ferry-master (fer'i-mas''ter), . 1. A superin- 
tendent of a ferry ; a person in charge of a ferry- 
station. 2. A collector of ferriage-money. 
The passage at the ferry-inaxter's window was jammed 
. . . with women asking . . . when the soldiers would be 
over. New York Tribune, May 29, 1882. 
fersH,. A Middle English form of fierce. Chau- 
cer. 
fertility 
fers'-'t, " [W., < OF. firm, fierche, fieri/,, ML. 
fercia, ferzia, farcia, < Pers. farzin (> Ar. far- 
~in, far;dn), the name of the queen at chess 
(8/wir(/).] The queen at chess. 
I shnlde han pleyd the bet at cites, 
And kept my /PCX the bet therby. 
Clniiicer, Deatll of lilanche, 1. til). 
fersht, a. An obsolete form offrrxli. 
fertert, . Seefereter. 
fertert, v. t. [ME./ertere; <ferttr, .] To in- 
close in a shrine. 
And bar thir bannes [these bones] menshelye 
And fertered thairn at a nunrye. 
Metr. Homilies (ed. Small), p. 143. 
fertht, a. A variant of fourth. Chaucer. 
ferthert, ferthestt, adv. and a. Obsolete spell- 
ings of further, furthest. 
ferthingt, n. A Middle English form of far- 
tllilK/. 
fertile (fer'til), a. [Formerly &\sofertil; < OF. 
fertile, F. fertile = Pr. Sp. Pg. fertil = It. fertile. 
< "L.fcrtilis, fruitful, fertile, </erre = E. bear 1 .] 
1. Bearing or producing abundantly, as of 
vegetable growth, and sometimes of offspring ; 
productive ; fruitful : with of or in before the 
thing produced : as, fertile soil ; a fertile breed 
of animals; a land fertile of wheat, or fertile in 
soldiers as well as supplies. 
Their [martyrs'] . . . blood is like the morning deaw, 
To make more fertil all the Churches field. 
Sylvester, tr. of Du Bartas's Triumph of Faith, iii. 24. 
The earth obey'd, and straight 
Opening her fertile womb, teein'd at a birth 
Innumerous living creatures. 
Milton, P. L., vii. 454. 
A reforming age is always fertile of impostors. 
ilocaulay, Moore's Byron. 
2. Productive mentally ; fruitful in intellectual 
activity ; inventive ; ingenious : as, a fertile 
brain or imagination ; a mind fertile in re- 
sources. 
A mind so fertile as his [Warren Hastings's], and so 
little restrained by conscientious scruples, speedily dis- 
covered several modes of relieving the financial embar- 
rassments of the government. 
Macaulay, Warren Hastings. 
3. In bot. : (a) Fruiting, or capable of produ- 
cing fruit ; having a perfect pistil : as, & fertile 
flower. 
The common pea is perfectly fertile when its flowers are 
protected from the visits of insects. 
Danrin, Cross and Self Fertilisation, p. 160. 
(6) Capable of fertilizing, as an anther with 
well-developed pollen. 4. Causing produc- 
tion; fertilizing; promoting fecundity: as, fer- 
tile showers ; fertile thoughts ; a fertile sug- 
gestion. 
The cold blood he did naturally inherit of his father 
he hath . . . tilled with . . . good store of fertile sher- 
ris, that he is become very hot and valiant. 
Shak., 2 Hen. IV., iv. 3. 
Adversity is far more fertile than Prosperity. 
Howell, Letters, I. vi. 57. 
5. In bee-keeping, in a fertilized state ; preg- 
nant. See the extract. 
Another word which has been changed somewhat in its 
meaning ... is the word fertile. ... It is now used by 
writers on bee-keeping to signify pregnant. 
Phin, Diet. Apiculture, Int., p. x. 
= Syn. 1. Productive, etc. See fruitful. 
fertilely (fer'til-li), adv. Fruitfully; abun- 
dantly. 
WTio, being grown to man's age, as our own eyes may 
judge, could not hutfertily requite his Father's Fatherly 
education. Sic P. Sidney, Arcadia, ii. 155. 
fertileness (fer'til-nes), n. Same as fertility. 
According to the fertileness of the Italian wit. 
Sir P. Sidney, Defence of Poesy. 
fertilisable, fertilisation, etc. Seefei-tilizable, 
etc. 
fertilitatet (fer-til'i-tat), v. t. [< fertility + 
-ate 2 .] To make fertile ; fertilize ; impregnate. 
A cock will in one day fertilitate the whole racemation 
or cluster of eggs, which are not excluded for many weeks 
after. Sir T. Browne, Vulg. Err., iii. 2X. 
fertility (fer-til'j-ti), . [< F. ferttlite = Pr. 
fertilitat = Sp. fertilidad = Pg.j'ertilidade=H. 
'fertilita, < L. fertilita(t-)s, fruitfulness, < fer- 
tilis, fruitful: see fertile."] "I. The state of be- 
ing fertile or fruitful ; the quality of producing 
in abundance ; fecundity ; productiveness : as, 
the fertility of land, or (more rarely) of a breed 
of animals, a race of men, or an individual. 
The fertility, or, as it may perhaps better be called, the 
productiveness, of a plant depends on the number of cap- 
sules produced, and on the number of seeds which these 
contain. Darwin, Cross and Self Fertilisation, p. 313. 
2. Prolific invention ; abundance of resources; 
mental affluence : as, the fertility of genius or 
imagination. 
