Al-kēr'mēs, n.

n. [Ar. al-qirmiz, al-qermes, the coccus insect. The Arabic word is, however, not indigenous, but derived from Skr. krimi-ja, engendered by a worm, krimi-jā, f., the red color, produced by an insect; krimi, worm, insect, and dja, born, sprung, from djan, to be born or produced; Sp. alkermes. See KERMES.] (Pharmacy.) A compound cordial, in the form of a confection, deriving its name from the kermes berries, its principal ingredient.