ermine
ermine Lexical Profile
ermine Game Scores & Validity
• noun
The soft, white fur of the ermine, often featuring black tips from the animal's tail, historically used to trim the ceremonial robes of royalty, peers, and judges.
"The monarch's coronation robe was heavily trimmed with luxurious ermine to signify supreme royal status."
A short-tailed weasel (Mustela erminea) native to the northern regions of Eurasia and North America, especially distinguished by its pure white winter coat.
"The ermine is highly adapted to snowy environments, relying on its white coat for camouflage while hunting."
British The rank, office, or status of a judge or peer, symbolized by the traditional wearing of ermine-trimmed robes.
"After decades of distinguished legal practice, she was finally elevated to the ermine as a high court judge."
Word Nuance & Usage
While 'stoat' refers to the animal year-round, 'ermine' is specifically used to describe the stoat when it has grown its pure white winter coat, or to refer to the harvested fur itself.
• Rhymes for ermine
• Nearby Words
Word Origin & Etymology
From Middle English 'ermine', via Old French 'hermine', which is widely believed to derive from the Latin phrase 'mus armenius', meaning 'Armenian mouse'.
Usage Trend
Historical frequency of usage in published text.