ermine
UK[ˈɜːmɪn]US[ˈɜːrmɪn]
n
A stoat, especially when in its white winter coat.
n
The white fur of the stoat, used historically as a symbol of purity and on the robes of judges and peers.
Etymology
The journey of 'ermine' begins with a geographical misattribution in medieval Latin: mus Armenius, the "Armenian mouse." This term traveled into Old French as ermine or hermine, shedding its literal "mouse" association and becoming firmly attached to the prized weasel and its fur. English adopted the word in the 12th century, where it solidified its dual meaning: the animal itself in its winter guise and, more prominently, its pure white fur. This fur, a luxury item, became a powerful symbol of status and judicial purity, adorning the ceremonial robes of European nobility and judges, a legacy that continues to define the word's primary modern connotations.
Analysis
The word 'ermine' is a simplex loanword. It entered English from Old French (ermine, hermine), which itself likely derived from the medieval Latin 'mus Armenius' meaning "Armenian mouse," possibly referring to the animal's origin or the source of its fur.
Examples
The judge's robe was trimmed with luxurious ermine.
In winter, the ermine's coat turns completely white except for the tip of its tail.
The portrait depicted the queen wearing a cloak of ermine.