ermine

American  

[ur-min] / ˈɜr mɪn /

noun

plural

ermines,

plural

ermine

1. an Old World weasel, Mustela erminea, having in its winter color phase a white coat with black at the tip of the tail.

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.

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adjective

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

ermine British  

/ 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

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Other Word Forms

• ermined
  adjective
• unermined
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of ermine

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)

Explanation

An ermine is a small, wild weasel. Ermines, like minks and sables, have very soft fur and they’re all part of the mustelid family which also includes otters, badgers, and wolverines! You're likely to come across the noun ermine in connection with the way humans use them — in some areas of the world, they are commonly raised or hunted for their fur, which is prized for its softness and can be made into coats or hats. Another word for an ermine is a stoat. A coat made from an ermine's skin is also called an ermine.

Example Sentences

Ermine moths produce ultrasonic clicking sounds twice per wingbeat cycle using a minute corrugated membrane in their hindwing.

From Science Daily • Feb. 5, 2024

“These things not only resulted in physical and mental struggles for Ms. Kingsbury, but also caused her difficulties with her work,” her lawyer, Marc Ermine, wrote.

From New York Times • Jun. 21, 2023

Cruz’s lead attorney on the brawl case, Gabe Ermine, told Scherer that was not their intention - they only wanted to soothe his emotions.

From Washington Times • Oct. 6, 2021

Cruz’s lead attorney on the brawl case, Gabe Ermine, told Scherer that was not their intention — they only wanted to soothe his emotions.

From Seattle Times • Oct. 6, 2021

Then Ermine went back to the old man and told him that the deed was done; and that night was a great feast night in the old man's home.

From Canadian Fairy Tales by MacMillan, Cyrus