vermilion

Etymology

From Middle English vermelioun, vermyloun, vermylon, vermilun, from Old French vermeillon (“vermilion”), from vermeil, from Latin vermiculus (“little worm”), from vermis (“worm”), ultimately in reference to Kermes vermilio, a type of scale insect used to make a crimson dye.

noun

1. A vivid red synthetic pigment made of mercury sulfide, cinnabar.
   Take ſix Ounces of Brimſtone, and melt it in an Iron Ladle, then put two Pound of Quick-ſilver into a ſhammy Leather, or double Linnen Cloth, and ſqueeze it out into the melted Brimſtone, ſtirring them, in the mean Time, with a wooden Spatula till they are well united; and when they are cold, beat the Maſs into a Powder, and ſublime it in a Glaſs-veſſel, with a ſtrong Fire, and it will riſe into that Red Subſtance, which is called artificial Cinnabar or Vermilion. 1734, “VERMILION”, in The Builder's Dictionary: Or, Architect's Companion, volume II, London: Printed for A. Bettesworth and C. Hitch, […] and S. Austen, […]
2. A bright orange-red colour.
   vermilion:
   vermilion Web:
   While this particular difference in the shade of vermilion is very striking in the symmetrical, smooth skins of even and regular make, which I have just compared, I must confess that it probably would not be in rough skins such as some European ornithologists appear still content with. February 24, 1911, Outram Bangs, “Two New Birds from the Island of Molokai”, in Proceedings of the Biological Society of Washington, volume XXIV, page 29
3. A type of red dye worn in the parting of the hair by married Hindu women.
4. The red skin of the lips or its border with the skin of the face.
5. (obsolete) The kermes or cochineal insect.
6. (obsolete) The cochineal dye made from this insect.

adj

1. Having a brilliant red colour.
2. Having the color of the vermilion dye.

verb

1. (transitive) To color or paint vermilion.
   Coraly has few of thoſe charms that conſtitute perſonal excellence—her cheek is pallid—her eye no brilliant; but when the latter beams benevolence, or ſparkles with mirth—when the former is ſuffuſed with the captivating bluſh of modeſty, or vermilioned with the glow of the tender paſſion, there are none more pleaſing. 1774 March, “Coraly: A Portrait”, in The Hibernian Magazine, or, Compendium of Entertaining Knowledge, page 160