Knowledge Builders

where did the word feral come from

by Delaney Wilderman Published 2 years ago Updated 2 years ago
image

feral (adj.)
1600, "wild, undomesticated," from French feral "wild," from Latin fera, in phrase fera bestia "wild animal," from ferus "wild" (from PIE root
PIE root
*kā-, Proto-Indo-European root meaning "to like, desire." It forms all or part of: caress; charity; cherish; Kama Sutra; whore; whoredom.
https://www.etymonline.com › word
*ghwer- "wild beast"). Since 19c. commonly "run wild, having escaped from domestication."

Full Answer

What does feral means?

feral noun A person who has isolated themselves from the outside world; one living an alternative lifestyle. feral adjective Wild, untamed, especially of domesticated animals having returned to the wild. feral adjective Contemptible, unruly, misbehaved. Webster Dictionary (0.00 / 0 votes) Rate this definition: Feral adjective

What does Farel mean?

feral: See: deadly , destructive , fatal , harsh , lethal , malicious , malignant , pestilent , ruthless

What is an example of a feral animal?

Some examples of introduced animals in Australia

  • Cane Toad
  • Indian Myna
  • Rabbit
  • Fox
  • Deer

What is the definition of feral?

The official definition of feral is, “living in a wild state after domestication”. We consider that feral simply denotes unsocial behavior toward people. Behaviors can be modified, and some feral cats become tame.

image

What does the slang word feral mean?

adjective. Also: ferine (of animals and plants) existing in a wild or uncultivated state, esp after being domestic or cultivated. Also: ferine savage; brutal. Australian derogatory, slang (of a person) tending to be interested in environmental issues and having a rugged, unkempt appearance.

What does it mean when a girl is feral?

To be "feral" is to go against the expectation to be more organized and more optimized, or to strive for a clean lifestyle.

Whats the difference between feral and wild?

But you will often hear a fierce debate using the terms “feral” in a versus argument to “wild.” Feral is a term used to describe a domestic animal turned wild, almost exclusively to a species that is “non-native” to an area. We use the word “wild” almost exclusively to refer to a native species living in a wild state.

What does Ferrel eyed mean?

1 : having a wild expression in the eyes. 2 : consisting of or favoring extreme or visionary ideas.

Why do feral children act the way they do?

Why do feral children act the way they do? It is believed that these type of children behave this way due to the lack of a cultural environment from which to learn.

Can dogs be feral?

Feral dogs can come from anywhere that a dog is not properly socialized. Feral dogs are often found in urban areas. A stray dog has a litter of puppies in an abandoned house where they have no human contact during their key developmental period so all the puppies in the litter become feral.

Can cows become feral?

There are cattle, including some that are wild, spread across California's millions of acres of open lands. But the size of this feral herd and its proximity to one of the most popular wilderness trails in the state make it a vexing problem for federal land managers.

Can a horse become feral?

The takhi is the only true wild horse left in the world. The so-called “wild” horses that abound in Australia and North America are actually feral. A domestic animal becomes "feral" simply by fending for itself when left in the wild, without being helped or managed by humans in any way.

Can you tame a feral cat?

Many experts agree that feral adult cats simply can't be tamed. They are wild animals, like raccoons. They tend to stay away from humans, hide during the day, and when adopted, are very difficult to socialize. Just like you would never try to handle a raccoon, you should never try to pick up a feral cat.

What does the term feral mean in Australia?

Australian derogatory, slang. (of a person) tending to be interested in environmental issues and having a rugged, unkempt appearance.

Is feral a Scrabble word?

FERAL is a valid scrabble word.

What does the word Raptors mean?

Definition of raptor 1 : a carnivorous medium- to large-sized bird (such as a hawk, eagle, owl, or vulture) that has a hooked beak and large sharp talons and that feeds wholly or chiefly on meat taken by hunting or on carrion : bird of prey.

Is a feral cat the same as a wild cat?

What is the difference between a feral cat and a wild cat? It is very simple: wild cats have had no contact with humans throughout history, while feral cats are those who, being domesticated, have returned to a wild state. Cats as pets originate from wild cats domesticated 10,000 years ago.

Are feral cats wild?

At first, these cats look domesticated. But they're really wild animals. Feral cats are the offspring of stray or abandoned household pets. Raised without human contact, they quickly revert to a wild state and form colonies wherever food and shelter are available.

How do you tell if a cat is a feral cat?

How do I tell the difference when the cats are outdoors?Stray: May approach people, houses, porches, or cars.Feral: Will not approach and will likely seek hiding places to avoid people.Stray: Will likely live alone, not part of a group.Feral: May belong to a colony.More items...

How do you know if your cat is a wild cat?

Physical AppearanceA stray cat can often look unclean and have a dishevelled coat.A feral cat will likely have clean fur and appear generally well-kept.A stray cat that has been lost for several weeks can look underweight and unwell.Male feral cats are often identified as having a muscular frame and scars from fighting.

What does "ferine" mean in slang?

Also: ferine savage; brutal. Australian derogatory, slang (of a person) tending to be interested in environmental issues and having a rugged, unkempt appearance. noun.

What does "wild" mean?

adjective. existing in a natural state, as animals or plants; not domesticated or cultivated; wild. having reverted to the wild state, as from domestication: a pack of feral dogs roaming the woods. of or characteristic of wild animals; ferocious; brutal. QUIZ.

feral

1. (Biology) Also: ferine (of animals and plants) existing in a wild or uncultivated state, esp after being domestic or cultivated

feral

1. wild, untamed, uncultivated, undomesticated, unbroken There are many feral cats roaming the area.

feral

Want to thank TFD for its existence? Tell a friend about us, add a link to this page, or visit the webmaster's page for free fun content .

What does it mean to be a feral animal?

Definition of 'feral'. Feral animals are wild animals that are not owned or controlled by anyone, especially ones that belong to species which are normally owned and kept by people. ...feral cats. If you describe something or someone as feral, you mean that they seem wild, fierce, and uncontrolled . ...the prowling, feral guitars underpinned by ...

What does "ferine" mean?

1. Also: ferine. (of animals and plants) existing in a wild or uncultivated state, esp after being domestic or cultivated. 2. Also: ferine. savage; brutal. 3. Australian derogatory, slang. (of a person) tending to be interested in environmental issues and having a rugged, unkempt appearance.

image

1.Feral Definition & Meaning - Merriam-Webster

Url:https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/feral

12 hours ago History and Etymology for feral. Medieval Latin feralis, from Latin fera wild animal, from feminine of ferus wild — more at fierce

2.feral | Etymology, origin and meaning of feral by etymonline

Url:https://www.etymonline.com/word/feral

15 hours ago Where did the word feral come from? Etymology. Borrowed from Middle French féral, from fer + -al, or borrowed from a Late Latin ferālis, from Latin ferus (“wild”).

3.Feral Definition & Meaning | Dictionary.com

Url:https://www.dictionary.com/browse/feral

18 hours ago feral (adj.) c. 1600, "wild, undomesticated," from French feral "wild," from Latin fera, in phrase fera bestia "wild animal," from ferus "wild" (from PIE root *ghwer- "wild beast"). Since 19c. commonly "run wild, having escaped from domestication."

4.Feral - definition of feral by The Free Dictionary

Url:https://www.thefreedictionary.com/feral

4 hours ago First recorded in 1615–25, feral is from the Latin word fērālis of the dead, funerary, fatal

5.About the word Feral : DreamWasTaken2 - reddit

Url:https://www.reddit.com/r/DreamWasTaken2/comments/ode8sb/about_the_word_feral/

10 hours ago a. Having returned to an untamed state from domestication: a pack of feral dogs. b. Existing in a wild or untamed state. 2. Of or suggestive of a wild animal; savage: a feral grin. [From Latin fera, wild animal, from ferus, wild; see ghwer- in Indo-European roots .]

6.Are the words 'fierce,' 'feral,' and 'ferocious' related ... - Quora

Url:https://www.quora.com/Are-the-words-fierce-feral-and-ferocious-related-etymologically

5 hours ago Feral is a word used for animals who aren’t domesticated. All five of the group members have used the term on VARIOUS occasions. I think it was George who initially started it and he had this phase in like November where feral was literally in every sentence that came out of his mouth.

7.The f-word that's suddenly everywhere | UK news | The …

Url:https://www.theguardian.com/theguardian/2011/sep/06/use-of-feral-suddenly-everywhere

11 hours ago The word ‘feral’ is a modern scientific term based on that Latin word. From ferus came the Latin adjective ferox, meaning ‘ferocious’ and directly borrowed into English as ‘ferocious’; but ferox also evolved into an old French adjective fierz, now obsolete in French , …

8.Feral definition and meaning | Collins English Dictionary

Url:https://www.collinsdictionary.com/dictionary/english/feral

2 hours ago  · According to the Oxford English Dictionary, "feral" has three meanings: "existing in a wild or untamed state"; "having returned to an untamed state …

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9