Akademik

1) The stoat (Mustela erminea). The fur is reddish-brown during the summer, but turns wholly white in the winter except for a black tip on the tail. Much used as trimming on clothing for royalty and nobles. In 1074 the Scots' King Malcolm gave William I gifts, among which were many 'pyleceon (i.e. *pelisses) of marten-fur . . . and ermine-fur'. It was known in medieval Latin as mus Armenius, i.e. the Armenian mouse. [< OldEngl. hearma = ermine; cinnen = ermine skins] -

Cf. Foin¹

2) Her. *Tincture showing the animal's white skin with black spots. -

Cf. Erminois