I. ˈərmə̇n, ˈə̄m-, ˈəim- noun
( -s ; see sense 1 )
Etymology: Middle English, from Old French ermine, hermine, modification (influenced by ermin, hermin Armenian, from Latin Armenius ) of a Germanic word akin to Old English hearma weasel, Old Saxon & Old High German harmo weasel; akin to Rhaeto-Romanic carmún weasel, Lithuanian šarmuõ, šermuõ weasel, and perhaps to Old High German hornunc February, Old Norse hjarn frozen snow, Lithuanian šir̃vas gray; basic meaning: gray, white
1. or plural ermine : any of several weasels that assume white winter pelage usually with more or less black on the tail:
a. : a large European weasel ( Mustela erminea ) — called also stoat
b. : least weasel
c. : any of the more northerly dwelling forms of the long-tailed weasel ; especially : new york weasel
2.
a. : the fine white fur of the ermine in winter pelage prized for ornament (as on the official robes of judges and peers)
b. : a trimming or garment made of ermine
3. : a rank (as of a king or lord) or office (as of a judge) of which the ceremonial or official robe is ornamented with ermine emblematic of authority and dignity or of purity and honor
4.
a. : a heraldic fur consisting of black spots of one of various conventional shapes representing ermine tails set on a white field
b. : any of the heraldic furs having ermine spots — see ermines , erminites , erminois , pean
[s]ermine.jpg[/s] [
ermine 1a: winter coat
]
II. adjective
Etymology: Middle English, from Middle French ermin, ermine, hermin, hermine, from ermine, hermine, n.
1.
a. : of or relating to the ermine or its fur
b. : of the heraldic fur ermine — abbr. erm.
2. : pure white