hermes

n. [ Ar. & Per. girmiz. See Crimson, and cf. Alkermes. ] 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. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

2. (Bot.) A small European evergreen oak (Quercus coccifera) on which the kermes insect (Kermes ilices, formerly Coccus ilicis) feeds. J. Smith (Dict. Econ. Plants). [ 1913 Webster ]

3. (Zool.) [ NL. ] A genus of scale insects including many species that feed on oaks. The adult female resembles a small gall. [ Webster 1913 Suppl. ]

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. [ 1913 Webster ]