Ker·mes n.
 1. Zool. The dried bodies of the females of a scale insect (Kermes ilices formerly Coccus ilicis), allied to the cochineal insect, and found on several species of oak near the Mediterranean; also, the dye obtained from them.  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 (Kermes ilices, formerly Coccus ilicis) feeds.
 3. Zool.  A genus of scale insects including many species that feed on oaks. The adult female resembles a small gall.
 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.

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