ferule /ˈfɛɹuːl/noun 1verb 1forms 3 noun1 •(historical) A ruler-shaped instrument, generally used to slap naughty children on the hand.In his hand he swayed a ferule, that sceptre of despotic power; the birch of justice reposed on three nails behind the throne, a constant terror to evil doers, […]. — 1820 verb1 •To punish with a ferule.And they were right in their assumption; I could cudgel a great lubberly delinquent of a boy[…]but when it came to feruling a girl[…]my manhood rebelled[…]. — 1862 formsferuled · feruling · ferules
