1. a small mammal with brown fur that turns white in winter, found in northern regions
2. the white winter fur of this animal, especially when used to trim royal robes

Examples

• The ermine’s coat changes from brown to white as winter approaches.
• Ermines are skilled hunters that prey on small rodents.
• The queen’s coronation robe was trimmed with ermine.
• Medieval kings often wore robes lined with ermine as a symbol of purity.
• We spotted an ermine darting across the snowy field.
• The ermine is also known as a stoat in some regions.