ˈermines Her.
Also 6 ermynes, ermins, 7 ermyness.
[In some way connected with ermine; possibly a. OF. herminès, pl. of herminet, dim. of hermine.]
A ‘fur’ forming the reverse of ermine, i.e. with white ‘spots’ on a black ground.
| 1562 Leigh Armorie (last page), Ermines, Black powdred whight. 1572 J. Bossewell Armorie ii. 129 b, He beareth Or, a Cheuron Checkey Ermin and Ermins. 1677 Plot Oxfordsh. 179 The skins of black Grey-hounds powdered with white, or made Ermyness. 1751 Chambers Cycl., Ermines is used by some English writers for the reverse of ermine, i.e. for white spots on a black field. 1864 Boutell Heraldry Hist. & Pop. iv. (ed. 3) 20. |