alkermes

Meaning

Noun

• The desiccated bodies of certain insects (female Kermes ilicis (species) and Kermes vermilio (species) ), 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.
• A red Italian alcoholic liqueur.

Origin

• From Middle French alkermès, probably from Spanish alquermes, from Arabic اَلْقِرْمِز, from Persian کرمست, from Middle Persian, from Sanskrit.