Kermes
Kermes , noun
[Arabic & Per. girmiz. See Crimson, and compare Alkermes.]
1.
(Zoology) The dried bodies of the females of a scale insect (Kermes ilices formerly Coccus ilicis), allied to the cochineal insect, and found on several species of oak near the Mediterranean; also, the dye obtained from them. They are round, about the size of a pea, contain coloring matter analogous to carmine, and are used in dyeing. They were anciently thought to be of a vegetable nature, and were used in medicine.
2.
(Botany) A small European evergreen oak (Quercus coccifera) on which the kermes insect (Kermes ilices, formerly Coccus ilicis) feeds. — J. Smith (Dict. Econ. Plants)
3.
(Zoology) A genus of scale insects including many species that feed on oaks. The adult female resembles a small gall.
Collocations (1)
Kermes mineral (Old Chemistry) , An artificial amorphous trisulphide of antimony; -- so called on account of its red color. A compound of the trioxide and trisulphide of antimony, used in medicine. This substance occurs in nature as the mineral kermesite.