vermeil

Meanings

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

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

Etymology

Etymology tree Proto-Indo-European *wr̥mis Proto-Italic *wormis Latin vermis Proto-Italic *-kelos Latin -culus Latin vermiculus Vulgar Latin *vermiclus Old French vermeilbor. Middle English vermayle English vermeil From Middle English vermayle, from Old French vermeil (“vermilion”), 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. Doublet of vermicule.