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

Ker"mes (?), n. [Ar. & Per. girmiz. See Crimson, and cf. Alkermes.] 1. (Zoöl.) 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. (Zoöl.) [NL.] A genus of scale insects including many species that feed on oaks. The adult female resembles a small gall.