ermine

Where does the word "ermine" come from? It comes from Medieval Latin Armenius mus, passing through Old French before entering English (1200s).

Ermine’s story begins in Medieval Latin: Armenius mus meant “Armenian mouse.” The stoat's winter fur was thought to come from Armenia. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Old French as ermine. Reserved for royalty and high nobility. It reached English by 1200s as ermine. Judges' and peers' robes are still trimmed with ermine. Today, ermine means a stoat in its white winter coat; its fur.

1. Stage 1 · Medieval Latin · medieval Armenius mus "Armenian mouse", the stoat's winter fur was thought to come from Armenia.
2. Stage 2 · Old French · medieval ermine "stoat fur", reserved for royalty and high nobility.
3. Stage 3 · English · 1200s ermine "white fur", judges' and peers' robes are still trimmed with ermine.