An alternative spelling of ermine, referring to a small white-furred weasel or the luxurious fur it produces, historically used to trim royal robes.
From Old French 'hermine,' possibly derived from Armenian or a Slavic language root; the term entered European languages during the Middle Ages when demand for the fur was high among nobility.
Medieval royalty were absolutely obsessed with ermine fur—the white belly fur with black tail-tips became the ultimate luxury status symbol, and wearing it signaled you had serious power and serious money.
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