from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Kermes \Ker"mes\, n. [Ar. & Per. girmiz. See {Crimson}, and cf.
{Alkermes}.]
1. (Zool.) 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. [Written also {chermes}.]
[1913 Webster]
2. (Bot.) A small European evergreen oak ({Quercus
coccifera}) on which the kermes insect ({Kermes ilices},
formerly {Coccus ilicis}) feeds. --J. Smith (Dict. Econ.
Plants).
[1913 Webster]
3. (Zool.) [NL.] A genus of scale insects including many
species that feed on oaks. The adult female resembles a
small gall.
[Webster 1913 Suppl.]
{Kermes mineral}.
(a) (Old Chem.) An artificial amorphous trisulphide of
antimony; -- so called on account of its red color.
(b) (Med. Chem.) A compound of the trioxide and
trisulphide of antimony, used in medicine. This
substance occurs in nature as the mineral {kermesite}.
[1913 Webster]