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]
ferrule in British English
or ferule (ˈfɛruːl, -rəl)
noun
1.
a metal ring, tube, or cap placed over the end of a stick, handle, or post for added strength or stability or to increase wear
2.
a side opening in a pipe that gives access for inspection or cleaning
3.
a bush, gland, small length of tube, etc, esp one used for making a joint
verb
4. (transitive)
to equip (a stick, etc) with a ferrule
Word origin
C17: from Middle English virole, from Old French virol, from Latin viriola a little bracelet, from viria bracelet; influenced by Latin ferrum iron
ferrule in American English
(ˈfɛrəl; ˈfɛrˌul)
noun
1.
a metal ring or cap put around the end of a cane, tool handle, etc. to prevent splitting or to give added strength
2. Mechanics
a short tube or bushing for tightening a joint
verb transitiveWord forms: ˈferruled or ˈferruling
3.
to furnish with a ferrule
Word origin
formerly verrel < ME & OFr virole, iron ring on a staff < L viriola, dim. of viriae, bracelets, via Celt < IE *weir-, wire, twisted work (> wire) < base *wei-, to bend, twist > L viere, to twist, bind around; sp. altered after L ferrum, iron
Examples of 'ferrule' in a sentence
ferrule
He went on, looking at the ground, scratching it with the ferrule of his neatly rolled, gold-banded umbrella.
NULL DARE CALL IT TREASON
He prised it free with the ferrule of his umbrella, picked it up and threw it towards the small duck.