Emily Dickinson Lexicon

ER'MIN, or ER'MINE, n. [Fr. hermine; It. armellino; Sp. armiño; Port. arminho; Arm. erminicq; D. hermelyn; G. Dan. and Sw. hermelin.]

1. An animal of the genus Mustela, an inhabitant of northern climates, in Europe and America. It nearly resembles the martin in shape, but the weasel, in food and manners. In winter, the fur is entirely white; in summer, the upper part of the body is of a pale tawny brown color, but the tail is tipped with black. The fur is much valued.
2. The fur of the ermin.