Fer*ru"gi*nous (?), a. [L. ferruginus, ferrugineus, fr. ferrugo, -
ginis, iron rust: cf. F. ferrugineux. See Ferrugo.] 1. Partaking of
iron; containing particles of iron. Boyle.
2. Resembling iron rust in appearance or color; brownish red, or
yellowish red.
||Fer*ru"go (?), n. [L., iron rust, fr. ferrum iron.] A disease of
||plants caused by fungi, commonly called the rust, from its
||resemblance to iron rust in color.
Fer"rule (? or ?; 277), n. [Formerly verrel, F. virole, fr. L. viriola
little bracelet, dim. of viriae, pl., bracelets; prob. akin to viere to
twist, weave, and E. withe. The spelling with f is due to confusion
with L. ferrum iron.] 1. A ring or cap of metal put round a cane, tool,
handle, or other similar object, to strengthen it, or prevent splitting
and wearing.
2. (Steam Boilers) A bushing for expanding the end of a flue to fasten
it tightly in the tube plate, or for partly filling up its mouth.
Fer*ru"mi*nate (?), v. t. [L. ferruminatus, p. p. of ferruminare to
cement, solder, fr. ferrumen cement, fr. ferrum iron.] To solder or
unite, as metals. [R.] Coleridge.
Fer*ru`mi*na"tion (?), n. [L. ferruminatio: cf. F. ferrumination.] The
soldering or uniting of metals. [R.] Coleridge.
Fer"ry (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Ferried (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Ferrying.]
[OE. ferien to convey, AS. ferian, from faran to go; akin to Icel.
ferja to ferry, Goth. farjan to sail. See Fare.] To carry or transport
over a river, strait, or other narrow water, in a boat.
Fer"ry, v. i. To pass over water in a boat or by a ferry.
They ferry over this Lethean sound Both to and fro.
Milton.
Fer"ry, n.; pl. Ferries (#). [OE. feri; akin to Icel. ferja, Sw. f‰rja,
Dan. fÊrge, G. f‰hre. See Ferry, v. t.] 1. A place where persons or
things are carried across a river, arm of the sea, etc., in a
ferryboat.
It can pass the ferry backward into light.
Milton.
To row me o'er the ferry.
Campbell.
2. A vessel in which passengers and goods are conveyed over narrow
waters; a ferryboat; a wherry.
3. A franchise or right to maintain a vessel for carrying passengers
and freight across a river, bay, etc., charging tolls.
Ferry bridge, a ferryboat adapted in its structure for the transfer of
railroad trains across a river or bay. -- Ferry railway. See under
Railway.
Fer"ry*boat` (?), n. A vessel for conveying passengers, merchandise,
etc., across streams and other narrow waters.
Fer"ry*man (?), n.; pl. Ferrymen (&?;). One who maintains or attends a
ferry.
Fers (?), a. Fierce. [Obs.] Chaucer.
Ferthe (?), a. Fourth. [Obs.] Chaucer.
Fer"tile (? or ?; 277), a. [L. fertilis, fr. ferre to bear, produce:
cf. F. fertile. See Bear to support.] 1. Producing fruit or vegetation
in abundance; fruitful; able to produce abundantly; prolific; fecund;
productive; rich; inventive; as, fertile land or fields; a fertile mind
or imagination.
Though he in a fertile climate dwell.
Shak.
2. (Bot.) (a) Capable of producing fruit; fruit-bearing; as, fertile
flowers. (b) Containing pollen; -- said of anthers.