vermeil

[ vur-mil, -meyl ver-mey ]

noun

1. vermilion red.
2. metal, as silver or bronze, that has been gilded.

adjective

1. of the color vermilion.

vermeil

/ ˈvɜːmeɪl /

noun

1. gilded silver, bronze, or other metal, used esp in the 19th century
2. 1. vermilion
   2. ( as adjective )

      vermeil shoes

Word History and Origins

Origin of vermeil¹

1350–1400; Middle English < Middle French < Late Latin vermiculus kermes (insect and dye), Latin: larva, grub; vermicule

Word History and Origins

Origin of vermeil¹

C15: from Old French, from Late Latin vermiculus insect (of the genus Kermes ) or the red dye prepared from it, from Latin: little worm

Example Sentences

In 1840, Mademoiselle Malvesin offered to conduct it; her letter to Vermeil, and his to her, crossing each other.

From Project Gutenberg

Mrs. Phox ensorcelled George with her beautiful, silly phace, shadowed with vermeil tinct and trimly pencilled.

From Project Gutenberg

Vermeil is a liquid which gives lustre and fire to the gold; and makes it resemble or moulu.

From Project Gutenberg

Where were the vermeil blooms, the liquid expressive eyes, the harmonious limbs of Animula?

From Project Gutenberg

The vermeil of her lip flushed and paled alternate, from the pink of the wild rose-leaf to the red of its autumnal berry.

From Project Gutenberg