vermeil

Meanings

Adjective

• Bright scarlet, vermilion.
• Specifically of faces, lips etc.: red, ruddy, healthy-looking.

Noun

• Vermilion; bright red.
• Silver gilt or gilt bronze.
• A liquid composition applied to a gilded surface to give luster to the gold.

Origin

• From Middle English vermayle, from Old French vermeil ("vermilion"), from Latin vermiculus ("little worm"), from vermis, ultimately in reference to Kermes vermilio (species), a type of scale insect used to make a crimson dye.