ermines
In blazon, coloured with a heraldic fur of a black field with white spotsIn blazon, coloured with a heraldic fur of a black field with white spots; counter-ermine.
UK/ˈɜːmɪnz/US/ˈɝmɪnz/
Meaning
1 senses(not comparable)In blazon, coloured with a heraldic fur of a black field with white spots; counter-ermine.
Origin
Attested in this form (with s) since at least 1562, in Legh's Accedens of Armorie, which dAttested in this form (with s) since at least 1562, in Legh's Accedens of Armorie, which defines it ("Sable poudred with Argent, … Ermines is his proper name") and contrasts it with both ermine and erminois. Related to ermine, but the derivation is unclear; the OED suggests "possibly [from] OF. herminès, pl. of herminet" (a supposed diminutive of hermine); modern French calls the fur contre-hermine.
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