ferals

Noun

feral (plural ferals)

1. A domesticated (non-human) animal that has returned to the wild; an animal, particularly a domesticated animal, living independently of humans.
   • Although it is not difficult to induce domestic pigeons to nest in boxes fixed to trees, London′s ferals are not yet acclimatized to arboreal holes.1960 May 19, “Notes and Comments: No homes for the pigeons”, in New Scientist, page 1261
2. (Australia, colloquial) A contemptible young person, a lout, a person who behaves wildly.
3. (Australia, colloquial) A person who has isolated themselves from the outside world; one living an alternative lifestyle.
   • The intolerance which was directed towards us during the early years has now shifted to ‘the ferals’ who embrace a new version of nonconformist behaviour that even some of us in their parent′s generation — the Aquarian settlers — don′t like. The ferals are the scapegoats for the drug problems here...1995, Bill Metcalf, From Utopian Dreaming to Communal Reality: Cooperative Lifestyles in Australia, page 82
4. (slang) A furry character in art or literature which has the appearance of a regular animal (typically quadrupedal), that may or may not be able to communicate with humans or "anthros".
   • The story is about a group of ferals which have to explore the ruins of society after the humans die out.

   Antonyms:

   anthro

See all 12 meanings of feral