kermes

kermes Definition

ker·mes (kʉr′mēz′)

noun

the dried bodies of the females of certain soft scale insects (genus Kermes), used for making a purple-red dye
this dye
a small, evergreen Mediterranean oak (Quercus coccifera) on which the kermes insects are found

Etymology: Fr kermès < Ar & Pers qirmiz: see carmine

kermes Usage Examples

Modifies a noun

dye: Kermes dye was produced by a process of drying the bodies of the insects and then fermentation.
oak: The kermes insect was found on the kermes oak, a native of the Eastern Mediterranean and Middle East Countries.

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