ermine

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   a stoat in its white winter coat, apart from the black tip of its tail

   The ermine vanished against the snow except for the black tip of its tail.

2. 2
   noun

   the white winter fur of the ermine, traditionally used to trim ceremonial robes

   The velvet mantle was edged with ermine.

From Middle English ermine, through Old French ermine or hermine. The deeper origin is disputed: proposed explanations connect the French word either with a Germanic name for the stoat or with words associated with Armenia. The animal's winter pelt produced the fur sense.

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