Definition

1. Noun:
   • A small carnivorous mammal: A weasel-like animal (Mustela erminea) native to northern regions, known for its brown summer coat that turns white in winter, except for the black tip on its tail.
   • The valuable white winter fur of this animal: The pure white fur, historically used to trim the robes of royalty, judges, and nobility as a symbol of purity and status.

Examples

• Noun (Animal):

  • The ermine is a skilled hunter, preying on small rodents.
  • We watched an ermine, in its brilliant white coat, dart across the snowy field.

• Noun (Fur):

  • The judge's ceremonial robe was trimmed with luxurious ermine.
  • In medieval portraits, kings were often depicted wearing cloaks of ermine.

Advanced Usage

• Symbolic Use: The ermine and its fur are traditional symbols of purity, justice, and aristocratic rank.
  • The ermine on heraldic shields often represents dignity.
• Metonymic Use: The word "ermine" can refer to the office or dignity of a judge or noble.
  • He was elevated to the ermine last year. (Meaning: He became a judge.)

Variants and Related Words

• Stoat: The common name for the animal , especially when referring to its brown summer phase.
• Ermined (adj.): Adorned or trimmed with ermine fur.
  • The ermined robe was heavy and ornate.

Synonyms

• Stoat (for the animal).
• Weasel (a related animal, but not a perfect synonym as it refers to a different species).
• Winter weasel (a descriptive synonym).

Idioms and Phrases

• To turn ermine: An archaic or literary phrase meaning to become a judge or to assume a position of high office.
  • After decades at the bar, he finally turned ermine.

Noun

1. mustelid of northern hemisphere in its white winter coat
2. the expensive white fur of the ermine