alkermes

Etymology

From Middle French alkermès, probably from Spanish alquermes, from Arabic اَلْقِرْمِز‎ (al-qirmiz), from Persian کرمست‎ (kirmist), from Middle Persian, from Sanskrit.

Pronunciation

• (UK) IPA^(key): /alˈkəːmɪz/

Noun

alkermes (uncountable)

1. The desiccated bodies of certain insects (female Kermes ilicis and Kermes vermilio), which live on the kermes oak, formerly much used as a material for dye and a medicinal ingredient; also a given mixture, preparation etc. containing such insects.
   • 1621, Democritus Junior [pseudonym; Robert Burton], The Anatomy of Melancholy, Oxford: Printed by Iohn Lichfield and Iames Short, for Henry Cripps, OCLC 216894069; The Anatomy of Melancholy: […], 2nd corrected and augmented edition, Oxford: Printed by John Lichfield and James Short, for Henry Cripps, 1624, OCLC 54573970, (please specify |partition=1, 2, or 3):
     , II.5.1.v:

     But alkermes many except against: in some cases it may help, if it be good […]

2. A red Italian alcoholic liqueur.