[ˈkəːmɪz], (Noun)

Definitions:
- a red dye obtained from the crushed dried bodies of a female scale insect, used for colouring fabrics and manuscripts

- the scale insect from which kermes is obtained, forming galls on the kermes oak


Phrases:

Origin:
late 16th century (denoting the kermes oak): from French kermès, from Arabic qirmiz; related to crimson