vermilion
vermilion Lexical Profile
vermilion Game Scores & Validity
• noun
A brilliant red color with a slight orange tint.
"The sunset painted the evening sky in striking shades of vermilion, gold, and violet."
A bright red pigment historically made from powdered cinnabar (mercury sulfide).
"Renaissance artists frequently relied upon vermilion to capture the vibrant, luxurious robes of prominent figures in their paintings."
• adjective
Of a brilliant red color, sometimes with a slight orange tinge.
"She wore a stunning vermilion dress that immediately caught everyone's attention at the evening gala."
• verb
To color, dye, or paint with a brilliant red.
"The early autumn frost gently vermilioned the leaves of the maple trees along the driveway."
• Rhymes for vermilion
• Nearby Words
Word Origin & Etymology
From Middle English 'vermilion', via Old French 'vermeillon' from 'vermeil' (red). This traces back to Latin 'vermiculus' (little worm), referring to the Kermes scale insect historically crushed to produce vibrant red dyes.
Usage Trend
Historical frequency of usage in published text.