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Glite Dictionary
Mustela erminea

Mustela erminea

9.6
A small animal like a weasel that turns white in winter except for its black tail tip
  • noun
  • Specialized
translation icon : Mustela erminea
  • In winter, the Mustela erminea turns completely white except for the black tip of its tail.

Examples

  • Scientists studied the hunting behavior of Mustela erminea in Alaska's forests.

  • The Mustela erminea is prized for its soft, white winter fur known as ermine.

  • The Mustela erminea is known for its beautiful winter coat.

  • In the winter, the Mustela erminea turns completely white.

  • In winter, the Mustela erminea turns completely white except for the black tip of its tail.

  • The Mustela erminea has a distinctive white coat during the snowy season, helping it blend into its surroundings.

  • Scientists observed how the Mustela erminea adapts to cold climates by changing its fur color in winter.

Synonyms

stoat
vsMustela erminea
2 8.8

A small brown animal related to the weasel that eats meat and has a black-tipped tail

describes the same species but highlights its white winter coat instead
ermine
vsMustela erminea
1 8.1

A small weasel with white fur in winter

is the scientific species name focusing on the living animal rather than the fur product
shorttail weasel
vsMustela erminea
  • US
7.9

A small mammal that eats meat and turns white in winter

is the scientific species name rather than a general common name

Surface Forms

Mustela erminea singular
Mustela erminas plural
Mustela erminae singular

Morphology

Mustela + erminea

This is a Latin scientific name (a taxonomic binomial); a B1 learner who knows 'Mustela' only as a genus label and sees 'erminea' (not a common English word) cannot derive the meaning 'stoat/ermine' from the parts. Although many languages use Latin names, understanding this requires specific biological/taxonomic knowledge or recognition of the common name, so it is not transparently compositional for learners.

Etymology

Mustela erminea comes from Latin words: mustela meaning 'weasel' and ermine meaning 'white winter fur'. This small animal, also called the 'stoat' or 'ermine', turns white in winter, so the name helps you remember it is the little weasel with the white coat.