ermyne

Middle English

Etymology 1

    Borrowed from Old French ermine, ermin; further etymology is disputed.

    Alternative forms

    Pronunciation

    • IPA(key): /ɛrˈmiːn(ə)/, /arˈmiːn(ə)/
    • (with retracted stress) IPA(key): /ˈɛrmin(ə)/, /ˈarmin(ə)/

    Noun

    ermyne (plural ermynes)

    1. The distinctive white pelt of the ermine.
    2. (heraldry) Heraldic ermine; white with black spots.
    3. (rare) A ermine (the weasel Mustela erminea)
    Descendants
    • English: ermine
    • Scots: ermine
    References

    Etymology 2

      Borrowed from Middle French erminé; equivalent to ermyn +‎ -e (participial suffix).

      Pronunciation

      • IPA(key): /ɛrmiˈneː/

      Adjective

      ermyne

      1. (rare, heraldry) Having an inverted ermine pattern (black spots on white)
      References