1. a flat piece of wood or ruler used for punishing children by striking them on the hand
Usage: archaic
2. a metal ring or cap placed around the end of a stick or tube to strengthen it or prevent splitting

Examples

• The strict teacher kept a wooden ferule on her desk.
• Students feared the sharp sting of the ferule across their knuckles.
• The walking stick had a brass ferule at its tip.
• A rubber ferule protected the end of the cane from wear.
• The umbrella’s ferule was cracked and needed replacement.
• Old schoolhouses often displayed ferules as reminders of past discipline methods.