Kermes - Definition - Law Dictionary Home Dictionary Definition kermes

Definition :

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