Definition of "ermine" in English

noun

1. A 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); its dark brown fur turns white in winter, apart from the black tip of the tail.

2. The white fur of this animal, traditionally seen as a symbol of purity and used for judges' robes.

3. (by extension, figuratively) The office of a judge.

4. (heraldry) The fur of this animal, used as a heraldic tincture: a white field with a repeating pattern of stylized black spots.

5. Any of various moths, especially in the family Yponomeutidae

adjective

1. (heraldry) In blazon, of the colour ermine (white with black spots).

verb

1. (transitive) To clothe with ermine.