kermes noun. ['kǝ:mɪz] L16.
[French kermès from Arab. &kdbelow;irmiz (= sense 2 below). Cf. CRIMSON, ARMOZEEN.]
1. More fully kermes oak. A small evergreen oak, Quercus coccifera, of the Mediterranean region. L16.

2. (The dried bodies of) adult females of the scale insect Kermes ilicis, which form hard berry-like galls on the kermes oak, used to make dye and (formerly) medicines; the scarlet dye made from these. Cf. ALKERMES. E17.

3. Chemistry & Pharmacology. A vermilion compound, precipitated antimony trisulphide. Also more fully kermes mineral. Now rare or obsolete. M18.

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