ermine

plural ermines

1. countableuncountableA weasel found in northern latitudes (Mustela erminea in Eurasia, Alaska, and the Arctic, Mustela haidarum in Haida Gwaii, Mustela richardsonii in the rest of North America) which's dark brown fur turns white in winter, apart from the black tip of the tail.
2. countableuncountableThe white fur of this animal, traditionally seen as a symbol of purity and used for judges' robes.
3. broadlycountablefigurativelyuncountableThe office of a judge.
4. countableuncountablegovernmentThe fur of this animal, used as a heraldic tincture: a white field with a repeating pattern of stylized black spots.
5. countableuncountableAny of various moths, especially in the family Yponomeutidae
6. countablepluraluncountablePlural of ermine.

1. not comparablegovernmentIn blazon, of the colour ermine (white with black spots).

present singular third person ermines · participle present ermining · participle past ermined · past ermined

1. transitiveTo clothe with ermine.