noun pl. ermines -·mines or ermine -·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)