Also 1–2 earming, 2–3 erming, 7 armine; the identity of the last is doubtful. [OE.; f. earm, ARM a., poor: see -ING.] A poor or miserable creature. Rarely attrib.
c. 1000. Ælfric, Hom. (Sweet, Reader, 80). Ȝe sind earmingas ʓewordene.
c. 1175. Lamb. Hom., 41. To pinen þer wiðinnen þa earming saulen.
c. 1200. Trin. Coll. Hom., 61. Makede him … erming þer he was er king.
1605. Lond. Prodigal, 122. O here God, so young an armine! Flo. Armine, sweetheart, I know not what you mean by that, but I am almost a beggar.
