browse words by letter
a
b
c
d
e
f
g
h
i
j
k
l
m
n
o
p
q
r
s
t
u
v
w
x
y
z
kermes |
2 definitions found From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) [web1913]: Kermes \Ker"mes\, n. [Ar. & Per. girmiz See {Crimson}, and cf {Alkermes}.] 1. (Zo["o]l.) The dried bodies of the females of a scale insect ({Coccus ilicis}), allied to the cochineal insect, and found on several species of oak near the Mediterranean. 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}.] 2. (Bot.) A small European evergreen oak ({Quercus coccifera}) on which the kermes insect ({Coccus ilicis}) feeds. --J. Smith (Dict. Econ. Plants). {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 From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) [web1913]: Kermes \Ker"mes\, n. (Zo["o]l.) [NL.] A genus of scale insects including many species that feed on oaks. The adult female resembles a small gall.