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ermine Definition

er·mine (ʉrmin)

noun pl. -·mines or -·mine

  1. any of several northern weasels having brown fur in summer and white fur with a black-tipped tail in winter, as the stoat
  2. the soft, white fur of this animal, used for women's coats, trimming, etc.
  3. the position, rank, or functions of some European judges or peers, whose state robe is trimmed with ermine
  4. Heraldry a representation of a fur indicated by black spots on a white field

Etymology: ME & OFr ermin; OFr ermine, hermine, prob. < MHG hermin, erminelike < harme, ermine < OHG harmo, weasel (OE hearma): infl. by folk-etym. assoc. with L (mus) Armenius, Armenian (mouse)

ermine Usage Examples

Converse of object

  • call: In the forests of Northern Europe lives a small animal called an ermine.
  • wear: She was wearing a loose, ermine trimmed, gray damask robe over a red underskirt.

Adjective modifier

  • white: The white ermine is meant to be symbolic of chastity.
  • royal: The background of royal ermine, the red stag's head and the green chief symbolize the Royal Forest.
  • chief: Glasier of Chester Arms: Azure, three pheons Argent, a chief Ermine.

Modifies a noun

  • robe: A single glass case in which the crown and purple ermine robe of the king were displayed was set center stage at the opening.
  • spot: Its appearance is a white field with a regular pattern or semy of ermine spots.
  • lion: The ermine lion is derived from the Gresley ' s crest.
  • cinquefoil: The black chief, with the ermine cinquefoil, from the arms of the County Council, represents the Leicestershire coalfield.
  • tail: Azure three crescents or with an ermine tail on each.
  • fur: The Mayor wears a scarlet wool robe, lined in silk, with black velvet facings and an ermine fur edging.

Noun used with modifier

  • canton: He beares to his armes " sable 3 bells argent a canton ermine " .

Browse dictionary entries near ermine

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