ermine

noun

er·​mine ˈər-mən 

plural ermines

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 weasel (Mustela erminea) chiefly of northern Eurasia and North America that has a short tail, is found in varied habitats (such as forest, grassland, and tundra), and preys especially on small mammals (such as voles and mice) : short-tailed weasel, stoat

b

: the white fur of the ermine

2

: a rank or office whose ceremonial or official robe is ornamented with ermine

Illustration of ermine

• winter coat

Examples of ermine in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

In June 2023, Theo Bosboom heard about an explosive proliferation of willow ermine moth caterpillars along the river Waal near Boven-Leeuwen, Netherlands, not far from his hometown. —Cecilia Rodriguez, Forbes, 1 Nov. 2024

As the Pages of Honor knelt to adjust the ermine and velvet robe, one reached for a section of the robe by the monarch's hand before pulling away. —Janine Henni, Peoplemag, 18 July 2024

Her eyes shut, she was draped in a robe with ermine trim, with an inkpot sitting on her skirt and one hand resting on an open book. —Merve Emre, The New Yorker, 29 Jan. 2024

Along with reintroduction efforts, the project aimed to reduce threats from European stoats, also known as ermines. —Margaret Osborne, Smithsonian Magazine, 6 Dec. 2023

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Anglo-French hermin, of Germanic origin; akin to Old High German harmo weasel

First Known Use

12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Kids Definition

ermine

noun

er·​mine ˈər-mən 

plural ermine or ermines

1

: any of several weasels with black on the tail and a brown coat of fur which usually becomes white in the winter

2

: the white fur of an ermine