‖n. [ L. ferula giant fennel (its stalks were used in punishing schoolboys), rod, whip, fr. ferire to strike; akin to OHG. berjan, Icel. berja. Cf. Ferule. ] 1. A ferule. [ Obs. ] Beau. & Fl. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. The imperial scepter in the Byzantine or Eastern Empire. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. [ capitalized ] A genus of plants of the parsley family Apiaceae (of the order Umbelliferae), including some yielding asafetida. Members include Ferula asafoetida (Ferula foetida), the giant fennel (Ferula communis), and Ferula orientalis. [ PJC ]

a. [ L. ferulaceus, fr. ferula rod: cf. F. férulacé. ] Pertaining to reeds and canes; having a stalk like a reed; as, ferulaceous plants. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. A ferule. [ Obs. ] Milton. [ 1913 Webster ]