Word Meaning

Meaning of kermes

- 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.
- A small European evergreen oak (Quercus coccifera) on which the kermes insect (Coccus ilicis) feeds.