kermes

1 of 2

noun (1)

ker·​mes ˈkər-(ˌ)mēz 

: the dried bodies of the females of various scale insects (genus Kermes) that are found on a Mediterranean oak (Quercus coccifera) and constitute a red dyestuff

also : the dye

kermes oak

2 of 2

noun (2)

variants or less commonly kermes

: a dwarf, often shrubby evergreen oak (Quercus coccifera) of the Mediterranean region that is the host of the kermes insect and has a bark rich in tannin

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

French kermès, from Arabic qirmiz

First Known Use

Noun (1)

1603, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for kermes

• hermes
• termes