ferrule — English Dictionary

Noun

1. A band or cap (usually metal) placed around a shaft to reinforce it or to prevent splitting.

   Examples

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   The cane was produced in court; it was as stout as an old-fashioned club, and of terrific weight. The man who wielded it must have been very powerful, for he had only dealt one blow, but that blow had cracked the old man's skull. The cane was undoubtedly of foreign make, for it had a solid silver ferrule at one end, which was not English hall-marked.

   He walked on, waiting to be spoken to, trailing his ashplant by his side. Its ferrule followed lightly on the path, squealing at his heels.

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   'Butler! Send my rickshaw round to the front at once! To the station, jaldi!' she added as the rickshaw-man appeared, and, having settled herself in the rickshaw, poked him in the back with the ferrule of her umbrella to start him.

   Lucas withdrew the cane. Its polished ferrule flashed in the lantern glare.

2. A band or cap (usually metal) placed around a shaft to reinforce it or to prevent splitting. The metal spike at the end of the shaft of an ice axe.

   Usage

   • specifically

   Examples

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   He [Larry Penberthy] feels metal ice axes are the only safe ones. […] If you do purchase a wood-shafted ax, examine the grain carefully. It should be straight, free of knots and flaws, and continue unbroken from head to ferrule. Rub it often with linseed oil.

3. A band holding parts of an object together. A bushing for securing a pipe joint.

   Examples

   Lead pipe is usually wiped to caulking ferrules so it can be joined to another type of material. Ferrules must be made of red brass.

4. A band holding parts of an object together. A metal sleeve placed inside a gutter at the top.

   Examples

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   Another method of attaching gutters is the spike-and-ferrule system. Position the gutter, then temporarily nail it to the fascia with 6d common nails at several places. Place the ferrule inside the gutter at bead height, lined up with the end of a rafter. Drive the spike through the gutter bead, ferrule and fascia board into the rafter.

5. A band holding parts of an object together. The plastic band attaching the tip to the cue.

   Examples

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   During a short break he clamped the tenon machine to the countertop; then he took a few cues that were in need of repair and began replacing their ferrules. […] By two-thirty, a dozen cues had new white ferrules and leather tips.

6. A band holding parts of an object together. The pinched metal band which holds the bristles of a paintbrush or the eraser of a pencil to the shaft; a similar band crimped as part of a cable terminal or to terminate a hose.

   Examples

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   The ferrule is the part of the brush that connects the bristles to the handle. The type of ferrule often dictates the name of the brush, such as a 3-inch flat-ferrule or an oval-ferrule sash. […] The ferrule is attached to the handle with small nails (brads) or by crimping the ferrule around the handle.

Verb

1. To equip with a ferrule.

   Usage

   • Transitive

   Examples

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   "District school, I mean," said Dave, with a flourish of the hand. "Where the master or mistress boards about, and ferrules the children with a pine ruler, if they don't toe a crack every spelling time."

   The return of the Thunderer from her protracted steam trial to Madeira has removed all doubt with regard to the efficacy of the new patent ferrule, as applied to boiler tubes. […] In fact, the highly successful results of the trial will, no doubt, lead to the universal practice of ferruling the boiler tubes in all our war vessels fitted with forced draft.

   I employed a practical boiler smith, who expanded and ferruled the tubes.

   Once inside the shop he took the line and cut the bad end off and with that done, he attempted to ferrule the cut end.

Noun

1. a metal cap or band placed on a wooden pole to prevent splitting

   Synonyms

   collet

   Broader terms

   cap