n.
Pronunciation: ' ə r-m ə n
Function: noun
Inflected Form: plural ermines
Etymology: Middle English, from Anglo-French hermin, of Germanic origin; akin to Old High German harmo weasel
Date: 12th century
1 or plural ermine a : any of several weasels whose coats become white in winter usually with black on the tip of the tail especially : a short-tailed weasel ( Mustela erminea ) of the forests and tundra of Eurasia and No. America b : the white fur of the ermine
2 : a rank or office whose ceremonial or official robe is ornamented with ermine
ermine