Kēr'mēs, n.

(kĕr'mēez), n. [Written also chermes.] [Ar. & Per. karmas, kermes, kirmis, from Skr. krimidja, engendered by a worm, from krimi, Per. kirm, worm, and dja, engendered, born. See ALKERMES.] The dried bodies of the females of the Coccus ilicis, an insect found on various species of oaks around the Mediterranean. They are round, about the size of a pea, and contain coloring matter analogous to carmine, and are used in dyeing. They were once thought to be of a vegetable nature, and were formerly used in medicine. Van Beneden.

Kermes mineral, an artificial sulphuret of mercury, in the state of fine powder. It is of a brilliant red color, whence the name.