First Known Use: 14th century
Dictionary
1fur
verb \ˈfər\
furredfur·ring
Definition of FUR
transitive verb
1
: to cover, line, trim, or clothe with fur
2
: to coat or clog as if with fur
3
: to apply furring to
intransitive verb
: to become coated or clogged as if with fur
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Origin of FUR
Middle English furren, from Anglo-French furrer to stuff, fill, line, from fuerre sheath, of Germanic origin; akin to Old High German fuotar sheath; akin to Greek pōma lid, cover, Sanskrit pāti he protects
2fur
noun, often attributive
: the hairy coat of an animal especially when it is soft and thick
: the fur of an animal used for clothing
: a piece of clothing (such as a coat) made with fur
Full Definition of FUR
1
: a piece of the dressed pelt of an animal used to make, trim, or line wearing apparel
2
: an article of clothing made of or with fur
3
: the hairy coat of a mammal especially when fine, soft, and thick; also : such a coat with the skin
4
: a coating resembling fur: as a : a coat of epithelial debris on the tongue b : the thick pile of a fabric (as chenille)
— fur·less \ˈfər-ləs\ adjective
See fur defined for English-language learners
See fur defined for kids
First Known Use of FUR
14th century
3fur
abbreviation
Definition of FUR
furlong
FUR[1] Defined for Kids
fur
noun \ˈfər\
Definition of FUR for Kids
1
: the hairy coat of a mammal especially when fine, soft, and thick
2
: a piece of the pelt of an animal
3
: an article of clothing made with fur
— furred \ˈfərd\ adjective
Word History of FUR
Though we think of fur as part of the animal that wears it, the history of the word fur begins with clothing rather than animals. Middle English furre, “fur trim or lining for a garment,” was shortened from the synonymous word furour, or else derived from a verb furren, “to trim or line (a garment) with animal skin.” This verb was borrowed from medieval French fourrer, with the identical meaning. Fourrer is a derivative of fuerre, meaning “sheath, wrapper,” since lining a garment provides a sort of warm wrapper for its wearer.
Medical Dictionary
fur
noun , often attrib \ˈfər\
Medical Definition of FUR
1
: the hairy coat of a mammal especially when fine, soft, and thick
2
: a coat of epithelial debris on the tongue
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