i know ferule-- i didn't realise (consciously) that there were two meaning... the second a flat piece of wood, such as a ruler, used in some schools to cane children on the hand verb--mmm, interesting.. i learned ferule as a term to describe the small, thin metal edge on many rulers that helped you use them as a straight edge.. you could have a ruler with a ferule, or with out..
(not that the ruler was a ferule. )

i also knew the more common use of ferule as a a metal ring, tube, or cap placed over the end of a stick, handle, or post for added strength or to increase wear


my other obsession