alkermes

noun

al·​ker·​mes

alˈkərmēz,

-mə̇s;

ˌalkərˈmes

plural -es

1

obsolete : the kermes insect

2

: an originally Italian liqueur made of brandy flavored with bay leaves, mace, nutmeg, cloves, and cinnamon and colored a brilliant red with the kermes insect or with cochineal

Word History

Etymology

French alkermès, from Spanish alkermes (now usually alquermes), from Arabic al-qirmiz the alkermes

First Known Use

1583, in the meaning defined at sense 1

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