Eriogaster 
t'ciuii'l in Europe, Africa, Australia, and Smith 
America. 2. A genus of (lies, of the family 
Eriogonum (er-i-og'o-num), . [NL., < Or. 
ipiuv, wool, + y6w, th'e knee. The original 
species is tomentose anil geniculate.l A large 
genus of plants, characteristic of the flora of 
the western United States, or tin- ni.nv Hum 1-31 
sprrir.s, ti .inly arc fuiim! ejiist of tin- MKsissippi, find 'J 
ill M'Airii. It li.'l.'ll-^ t'l th.- i'1-.l.-r rn!<i<i,,inl<'>'<r. uliil is 
thr type of a tribe. cninotoriMd hy ImviTm invi.lucnit.- 
tliiiTs and ii" iipnles. 'I'lu'.v arc mostly 1" herbs or 
woody i;iM-il prn-iMii:iK ver.v variable in their manner of 
growth, with -.111:111 tli.\n-rs, iin.l of mi rer<>Kiii/.ed value. 
eriometer (er-i-om'r-ter), . [< (!r. /-mm', wool, 
+ iitr/mi', a measure.] An optical instrument 
for meiisuri n the diameters of minute particles 
and fibers from the size of the colored rings 
produced by tin' dift'riict ion of the light in which 
the objects arc viewed. 
Eriophorum (er-i-oPo-rum), it. [NL., < (Jr. 
'<ilii;, wool-bearing (ef. fitvipov ipux^ipov, the 
cotton-tree), < Ipton, wool, + Qfpi-iv = E. bear 1 ."] 
A small gt'iiits of cyperaceous plants, found in 
the cooler parts of the northern hemisphere, 
distinguished by the delicate capillary bristles 
of the perianth, which lengthen greatly after 
flowering, and form a conspicuous cotton-like 
tuft ; the cotton-grass. 
Eriopinse (er*i-6-pi'ne), n.pl. [NL., < Eriojnts 
+ -intr.] A subfamily of noctuid moths, typi- 
fied by the genus Eriiqius. More correctly hri- 
njitxliiiie. 
Eriopus (e-ri'o-pus), 11. [XL., < Gr. tptov, wool, 
+ iro/'f (TTO<!-) = E. foot.] 1. In cntoni., the typi- 
cal genus of Erio}>iu(t, having the fore and hind 
legs furnished with long hairs, whence the name. 
The species are found all over the world. 
Treitschke, 1825. 2. In ornitli., same as Erin- 
CHFIIlis. (rOtllll, 1847. 
Eriosoma (er'i-o-so'ma), it. [NL., < Gr. epiov, 
wool, + aii/ta, body.] 1. Same as Scluzoneiira. 
Leach, 1829. 2. Agenusof eerambycid beetles: 
synouymous with Xylochuris. Jila'ncltard, 1842. 
3. A genus of flies, of the family Aliwcida: 
Limi, 1864. 
Eriphia (e-rif'i-ft), . [NL.] 1. A genus of 
brachyurous decapod crustaceans, or ordinary 
1995 
K. rubida is the common ruddy duck of the United states. 
and there HIT si-vi-nt! othersitecies. See rfi/cfr*. Also called 
'/'*. <;<nti"iti<i. <t.i<iur<i. anil I'ndina. 
Erismaturinsele-ris'ma-tu-ri'ne), n.jil. [NL., 
< Krinmiiluru + -ina:] The rudder-ducks, a sub- 
familyof Anatitbe. They arc dMini:m*hcd from t'nii 
i liy the BtinViif.i limn- lim-;ir t.ul ir.tth. i* Inun li> 
t 'jo in number, exjxjsed to the base by reason of the 
shi.itn.--s of tin- . Averts; a comparatively small head and 
thick neck ; a moderate bill ; short tarsi ; anil very long 
toes. There are several species, as of the (genera Ertima- 
, etc. 
erminites 
w 2 ), as if HI ux AriiKiiiiiK, 'Armenian mouse,' 
equiv. to urns I'tmticus (Pliny), an ermine, is 
\vithoiitanyfouiidation.] 1. The stoat, Ptito- 
riti8 rrmnifii. si small, slender, short-legged car- 
Eriphia ttrvimane. 
crabs, of the family Caiu-riihe. E. Itrvintana is 
an example. Ltitrrille, 1817. 2. In oitom. : (a) 
A genus of flies, of the family Anthomyida;, 
founded by Meigen in 1838. It contains large black- 
itdi-gray sprrirv \\II-.M- nelMMrihoMi are unknown. 
There are a few European species, and 10 have been 
ilt-si-rilx-il hy \\nlkfr from the Hudson's liny Territory. 
(l>) A genus of zygajuid moths. f'elder, 1874. 
(r) A genvis of tiueid moths. Chambers, 1875. 
Erirhinidae (er-i-riu'i-de), n. />l. [NL., < Eri- 
rli in tin + -/(ftp.] A family of rhynehophorous 
C(ilii>l/ti'i-u. typilied by the genus Erirhinus. 
Also Krirliiiiiiles. 
Erirhinus (cr-i-ri'nus), . [NL. (Schouherr), 
< Gr. ipi-, a strengthening prefix, + pif (ptv-), 
nose.] A genus of curculios or weevils, giving 
name to the family Erirlriniiltr. E. iitfirmus is 
an example. 
Erismatura (e-ris-ma-tu'ra), . [NL., < Gr. 
ipnaua(T-), support, 4- orpii, tail.] The typical 
genus of ducks of the subfamily Eri 
Ruddy Duck ihrfstn.itura 
, 
Eristalinae (e-ris-ta-li'ne), n. pi. [NL., < 
lnli.1 + -ina:] A subfamily of tiyrphiclie, typi- 
fied by the genus Eriftalis. 
Eristalis (e-ris'ta-lis), n. [NL. (Latreille, 
1804).] A remarkable genus of flies, typical of 
the subfamily Eristalina; ha^ng the marginal 
cell closed and petiolate, the thorax without an v 
yellow markings, and the front evenly arched. 
The larvie are known as rat-tail iiiaayota, and feed in ma- 
nure and soft decaying vegetable substances. The genus is 
widely distributed over the globe, and more than 20 North 
American species are described. E. tenax is an almost 
cosmopolitan species, occurring in Europe, Asia, Africa, 
and America, ami closely resembles a large bmnbletiee. 
eristic (e-ris'tik), . and n. [= F. ^nutique = 
It. eristieo, < Gr. epiartKOf, given to strife, < cpi- 
(ttv, strive, dispute, < Ipif, strife.] I. a. Per- 
taining to disputation or controversy ; contro- 
versial; disputatious; captious. 
The ground for connecting any such associations [ma- 
terialistic] with this Ideal of perfect identity without dif 
ference lies in what Plato would have called its fristir 
character : that is, its tendency to exclude from judgment. 
and therefore from truth and Knowledge, all ideal synthe- 
sis. /;. Uommitift, Mind, X 111. :).-,:. 
Eristic science, logic. 
II. . 1. One given to disputation ; a contro- 
versialist. 
Kanatick F.rrour and Levity would seem an Kuchite as 
well as an KnuHelc, Prayant as well as Predicant, a l>evo- 
tiouist as well as a Disputant. 
/;/. Gavden, Tears of the rhtirch, p. iw. 
2. An art of logical criticism practised by the 
Megarics and other ancieiit philosophers. It 
has the appearance of mere captiousuess and 
quibbling, but had a serious motive. 
eristical (e-ris'ti-kal), it. [< eristic + -/.] 
Same as eristic. 
erithacet, . [< Gr. i/iiddm/, bee-bread.] The 
honeysuckle. 
Eriz, . See Eryjc. 
erket, a. A Middle English form of irk. 
erlichet, ttdc. See early. 
erlisht, . An obsolete variant of eMricli. 
And up there raise an erltxh cry 
" He's won amung us a'! " 
The Youmj Tamlane (Child's Ballads, I. 124). 
erl-king (W king), . [E. accom. of G. erl- 
kiimij, erlen-kiinig, accom. of Ban. elh-kmige, 
eher-knnge, lit. king of the elves, elle-, elver-, 
being the pi. (only in coinp. ; = Sw. elfror, pi.) 
of alf, pi. otherwise alfer, = E. elf; cf. Dan. 
alfe-konije, elf-king.] In German and Scandina- 
vian poetical mythology, a personified natural 
power which devises and works mischief, espe- 
cially to children. 
The hero of the present piece IN the Krl or Oak King, a 
I i i 1 1 1 i who is supposed to dwell in the recesses of the forest. 
and thence to issue forth upon the benighted traveller to 
lure him to his destruction. Scott, Erl King, Pref. 
erlyt, adr. See early. 
ermet, r. i. A Middle English form of earn*. 
ermefulf , n. A Middle English form of yearnful. 
ermelint (er'me-lin), . [Also ermilin, Jierme- 
liiie (and ermly); < G. Iternielin (whence also It. 
ermellinii, etc.), the ermine: see ermine 1 .'] Same 
as ermine. 
Sables, Marternes, Beuers, otters. llcrinrline*. 
llakluyt't Voyage*, I. 493. 
They bane in their eies adamant* that Mill drawe youth 
as the let the strawe, or the sight of the Panther the 
Krmlii. ijreent, Sever Too Late. 
Fair as the furry coat of whitest ermilin. 
Shnwtvne, Schoolmistress. 
ermine 1 (er'min), . [Early mod. E. also er- 
in in, ermyn; < ME. ermin, ermi/n, ermine, < OF. 
ermin, ermine, liermine, mod. F. hcrmine = Pr. 
rrmini, ermi. licrmin = Sp. iirmiilo = Pg. nr- 
minlitt, ermine: the same, with reduced term., 
as E. rriiiflin. cruily (obs.) = Sw. Dan. lirrnn- 
lin = It. ermrlliiKi. iirnnUino (ML. nrmfltnus), 
< MHG. In i- mi I in. (i. hrriiicliii (cf. LG. harmlce, 
lirniirllci), ermine, dim. of MHG. harme, OHO. 
linrmii. the ermine, = AS. liritrma (in glosses, 
e. g., ''uetila. hi-unim" lietwecn ntnr, otter, and 
mi'itrlli. iniirtcn. an ermine or rather weasel 
(netilii is a scribe's error for L. mitxtela), = 
Lith. .<.-<(. x-nniiii. .i:iiriin>iiyi<, a weasel. The 
common "derivation" from Armenia (t-f. Er- 
Ermine, or Stoat /'iifvrtut frminea). ill winter |>cl.ti;c. 
nivorous quadruped of the weasel family, MUK- 
iflidte, and order Ferae, found throughout the 
northerly and cold temperate parts of the north- 
ern hemisphere. The term Is specially applied Ui 
the condition of the animal when it is white with a black 
tip to the tall, a change from the ordinary reddish-brown 
color, occurring In winter in most latitudes inhabited by 
the animal. The ermine is a near relative of the weasel, 
the ferret, and the European iKileeat. all of which belong 
to the same genus. There arc several allied species or 
varieties of the stoat hieh turn white in winter and yield 
a fur known as ermine. The ermine fur of commerce is 
chiefly obtained from northern Europe, Siberia, and Brit- 
ish America, anil is in great request. See stoat. 
I'l rob no n/ij/n of his dainty skin 
To make mine own grow proud. 
J. Braumunt, Psyche, ill. 117. 
2. In cutout., one of several arctiid moths: so 
called by English collectors. The buff ermine 
is Arctta lubricipeda ; the water-ermine is A. 
urticw. 3. The fur of the ermine, especially 
as prepared for ornamental purposes, by hav- 
ing the black of the tail inserted at regular in- 
tervals so that it contrasts with the pure white 
of the fur. The fur, with or without the black sjiots, is 
used for lining and facing certain official and ceremonial 
garments, especially, in England, the rolies of judges. 
Their chiefe f urres are . . . Blacke fox Sables, . . . Gur- 
nestallei or Armint. Hakluyt t Voyaget, I. 477. 
Ijiw and gospel faith determine 
All virtues lodge in royal ermine. 
tiietft, On Poetry. 
Hence 4. The office or dignity of a judge, 
and especially the perfect rectitude and fair- 
ness of mind essential to the judge's office : as, 
he kept his ermine unspotted. 
I call upon . . . the judges to interpose the purity of 
their 'mini* to save us from this jiollution. 
Lord Chatham. 
5. In her., one of the furs, represented with its 
peculiar spots black on a white ground (argent, 
spots sable). The black spots are in- 
determinate in number. In some cases 
a single spot suffices for one surface: 
thus, In a mantling rrmint the dags have 
each one spot in the middle. Abbrevi- 
ated er. 
The arms of Brittany were " Ermine," 
1. e. white, with black ermine spots. 
Booke of Prectilente (E. E. T. s., extra 
(ser. ),!., notes. 
Ermine spot, in her., one of the black spots representing 
the tail of the ermine and contributing to form the tinc- 
ture so called. 
ermine 1 (er'min), r. f.; pret. and pp. ermineil, 
ppr. ermining. [< ermine 1 , .] To cover with 
or as with ermine. 
The snows that have " miti'if It la tree] in winter. 
l.inrfll. Among my Books, 3d ser., p. 237. 
Ermine 2 t, . [ME.; cf. OF. Ermenie, ML. Ser- 
mcnia, Armenia.] An Armenian. Chaticer. 
ermine (er-mi-na'), . [Heraldic F., < OF. er- 
min, ermine, ermine.] In her., composed of four 
ermine spots: said of a cross so formed. This 
cross is always sable on a field argent, and this need not be 
mentioned in the blazon ; it is also blazoned four ermine 
spots in cross. 
ermined (er'mind). . 1. Clothed with ermine ; 
adorned with the fur of the ermine. 
Krmined Age, and Youth in arms renown'd, 
Honouring his scourge and hair-cloth, meekly kissed the 
ground. Sentt, Don Roderick, st. -". 
2. Invested with the judicial power, or with the 
office or dignity of a judge. 
ermine-moth (er'min-m6th), n. A moth, y/'<>- 
nomeiita imtlella. so called from its white and 
black coloration. 
ermines (er'minz), n. In her., a fur of a black 
ground with white spots (sable, 
spots argent): the reverse of 
i-rmine. Also called counter-er- 
niiin , i-initi'i-i rmine. 
erminites (er'mi-nits), n. In 
lirr.. a fur sometimes men- 
tioned, the same us ermine, but 
with a single red hair on each 
