Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

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.