kermes

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]