\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.

\Ker"mes\, n. (Zo["o]l.) [NL.]
A genus of scale insects including many species that feed on
oaks. The adult female resembles a small gall.