a little wooden pallet or slice, reputed the schoolmaster's sceptre, wherewith he chastises the boys by striking them on the palms of the hand. The word is Latin, and has also been used to denote the prelate's crozier and staff. It is supposed to be formed of the Latin ferire, "to strike." Under the eastern empire, the ferula was the emperor's sceptre, as is seen on divers medals: it consists of a long stem or shank, and a flat square head. The use of the ferula is very ancient among the Greeks, who used to call their princes ἀγαθοποιοί, q. d. "ferula-bearers."

In the ancient eastern church, ferula or narthex signified a place separated from the church; wherein the penitents or the catechumens of the second order, called auscultantes, auscultantes, were kept, as not being allowed to enter the church; whence the name of the place, the persons therein being under penance or discipline: sub ferula erant ecclesia.

Fennel-giant, a genus of plants belonging to the pentandria class, and in the natural method ranking under the 45th order, Umbellatae. See Botany Index. The drug assafectida is obtained from a species of ferula.