ermine

/'ə:min/

Thân thiện

The queen's robe is trimmed with ermine.

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.

Học thuật

Noun

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

Từ đồng nghĩa

• shorttail weasel
• Mustela erminea