feral
feral
Pronunciation
IPA for "feral": /ˈfɛərəl/ (or /ˈfɪərəl/)
Here's a breakdown of the sounds by syllable:
fe (ˈ):
/f/: voiceless labiodental fricative (similar to the "f" sound in "fit")
/ɛ/: near-low front unrounded vowel (similar to the "e" sound in "bed")
/ər/: schwa (a mid central vowel sound) - stressed in some pronunciations
ral (əl):
/l/: voiced alveolar lateral approximant (similar to the "l" sound in "like")
/əl/: schwa (a mid central vowel sound) - unstressed
Word Form Variations
The word "feral" has the following word form variations:
Singular: feral
Plural: ferals
There are no other verb conjugations or comparative/superlative forms for "feral" because it functions as an adjective.
However, there is a related noun:
Feral (noun): This refers to a domesticated animal that has returned to the wild, often used in the plural form "ferals." This usage is less common than the adjective form.
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Definitions, Synonyms, Antonyms
Adjective:
Definition:
(of an animal) Having returned to a wild state from domestication.
(of a person or their behaviour) Wild, untamed, or uncontrolled.
Synonyms:
Wild, untamed, savage, beastly, barbaric, primitive, unruly, out of control
Antonyms:
Domesticated, tame, civilised, controlled, gentle
Noun (less common):
Definition:
An animal that has returned to a wild state from domestication.
Synonyms:
Wild animal, stray animal (especially when referring to domesticated animals)
Antonyms:
Domesticated animal
Examples of Use
Adjective:
Book: "The Jungle Book" by Rudyard Kipling features feral characters like Mowgli, the boy raised by wolves (source: Rudyard Kipling, The Jungle Book)
Newspaper: A headline might read "Feral Hogs Cause Havoc in Suburbs" describing wild pigs causing damage (source: This is a common news story, you can find examples from various publications)
Online Publication: An article discussing the dangers of "Feral Children" raised in isolation (source: There are many articles on this topic, be sure the source is reputable)
Entertainment Medium (Movie): In the movie "Mad Max: Fury Road," the antagonist's followers are described as a "feral" group (source: Mad Max: Fury Road, directed by George Miller)
Public Discourse: Someone might describe a neglected garden as becoming "feral" with overgrown plants (source: Common usage in conversations about gardens)
Noun (less common):
Scientific Publication: A research paper might discuss the "ferals" reintroduced to a specific ecosystem (source: This would depend on the specific research, but such terms appear in ecological studies)
Animal Shelter Website: A website might list "ferals" available for adoption, referring to stray cats (source: Many animal shelters use this term, you can find examples on their websites)
Documentary: A nature documentary might focus on the challenges faced by "ferals" adapting to the wild (source: This would depend on the specific documentary, but the term can be used in wildlife discussions)
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10 Famous Quotes Using the term Feral
Unfortunately, there aren't many famous quotes that directly use the word "feral" due to its nature as a descriptive term rather than a word with deep emotional weight. However, I can offer some quotes that capture the essence of "feral" using synonyms or related ideas:
"Man is by nature a social animal" (Aristotle) - Antonym of feral, highlighting the human need for connection.
"I went into the wilderness because I wished to live deliberately, to front only the essential facts of life, and see if I could not learn what it had to teach, and not, when I came to die, discover that I had not lived" (Henry David Thoreau) - Expresses a desire to return to a more natural state.
"The wild thing is a real thing. It lives in the woods and it wants what it wants. No one owns it." (Maurice Sendak) - Highlights the untamed nature of wild things.
"Civilization is a race between education and catastrophe" (H.G. Wells) - Suggests the potential for societies to become untamed.
"Society prepares the crime; the criminal commits it" (Victor Hugo) - Implies a loss of control within a society.
"The wolf shall dwell with the lamb, and the leopard shall lie down with the young goat, and the calf and the young lion and the fatling together; and a little child shall lead them" (Isaiah 11:6) - A vision of harmony that contrasts with the untamed nature of wild animals.
"Nature is not a place to visit. It is home" (Gary Snyder) - Opposes the idea of humans being separate from the wild.
"Call me Ishmael. Some years ago—never mind how long precisely—having little or no money in my purse, and nothing particular to interest me on shore, I thought I would sail about a little and see the watery part of the world" (Herman Melville, Moby Dick) - Ishmael's yearning for adventure suggests a feral spirit.
"I am a wild thing! I am not caged!" (Maurice Sendak, Where the Wild Things Are) - A children's book quote that directly captures the wild spirit.
"I hope you live a life you're proud of. If you find that you are not, I hope you have the courage to start over again" (F. Scott Fitzgerald) - A quote about the potential for change and returning to a more authentic self, which could be seen as a form of untaming oneself.
Etymology
The word "feral" comes from the world of wild beasts! The root of the word is the Latin word "fera," which means "wild beast." Think of a fierce animal roaming free.
The word "feral" itself first popped up in English around the 1600s. Back then, it simply meant "wild" or "undomesticated." Imagine a creature that had never been tamed by humans.
Over time, the meaning of "feral" shifted a bit. Now, it specifically refers to an animal that used to be domesticated but has returned to the wild. Like a pet cat who escapes and starts living on its own outdoors. Pretty cool how the word transformed, right?
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Phrases + Idioms Containing the term Feral
While there aren't many idioms directly using "feral," here are some phrases and related idioms that capture the wild or untamed nature associated with the word:
Gone feral: This directly describes something domesticated that has become wild, like a "garden gone feral" with overgrown plants.
Feral child: Refers to a child raised in isolation with minimal human contact.
A run with the feral hogs: This is a more informal way to describe encountering wild pigs, especially those causing trouble.
Run wild/go wild: Similar to "gone feral," but can also describe something becoming out of control, like emotions or children's behaviour.
A beast unleashed: This idiom emphasises the raw and untamed nature of something, similar to a feral animal.
Off the leash/run amok: These idioms describe something breaking free from control and acting wildly.
While not using "feral" directly, these phrases all share the concept of something wild, untamed, or uncontrolled.
Posts Related to Feral
Source Information
Definition of feral from The Academic Glossary at Self Exploration Academy, a Urikville Press Publication. © All rights reserved.
