ermine

[ ur-min ]

noun

, plural er·mines, (especially collectively) er·mine.

1. an Old World weasel, Mustela erminea, having in its winter color phase a white coat with black at the tip of the tail. Compare stoat.
2. any of various weasels having a white winter coat.
3. the lustrous, white, winter fur of the ermine, often having fur from the animal's black tail tip inserted at intervals for contrast.
4. the rank, position, or status of a king, peer, or judge, especially one in certain European countries who wears, or formerly wore, a robe trimmed with ermine, as on official or state occasions.
5. Heraldry. a fur, consisting of a conventional representation of tails, often with a pattern of dots, sable on argent.

adjective

1. made of, covered, or adorned with ermine.

ermine

/ ˈɜːmɪn /

noun

1. the stoat in northern regions, where it has a white winter coat with a black-tipped tail
2. the fur of this animal
3. one of the two principal furs used on heraldic shields, conventionally represented by a white field flecked with black ermine tails Compare vair
4. the dignity or office of a judge, noble, or king
5. short for ermine moth

Other Words From

• ermined adjective
• un·ermined adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of ermine¹

1150–1200; Middle English < Old French ( h ) ermine, noun use of feminine of ( h ) ermin (masculine adj.) < Latin Armenius, short for Armenius ( mūs ) Armenian (rat)

Word History and Origins

Origin of ermine¹

C12: from Old French hermine, from Medieval Latin Armenius ( mūs ) Armenian (mouse)

Example Sentences

The Countess deftly steered the lifeboat, a resolute and unlikely vision in her ermine and pearls.

From The Daily Beast

The ermine was also written about by Leonardo as a symbol of her purity.

From The Daily Beast

It may be a visual pun on her surname, since the Greek for ermine or stoat is galay.

From The Daily Beast

He portrayed Cecilia against a monochromatic background, holding a white ermine - an enigmatic feature with multiple meanings.

From The Daily Beast

He bought it instantly, and then seized upon precisely such a "long white thing" of ermine as he had seen in his mind's eye.

From Project Gutenberg

She looked at him, then looked down, resting her white chin on the warm white fur of the ermine.

From Project Gutenberg

Just as they reached the house Jack stooped to arrange it, throwing it back on either side so that more of the ermine would show.

From Project Gutenberg

When she left California her mother had urged her to take a small velvet cape lined with ermine.

From Project Gutenberg

The Ermine Street passes through this gate, running north from it for eleven or twelve miles as straight as an arrow.

From Project Gutenberg