vermilion
pronunciation
How to pronounce vermilion in British English:
UK [vəˈmɪliən]
How to pronounce vermilion in American English:
US [vərˈmɪliən]
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- Noun:
- a variable color that is vivid red but sometimes with an orange tinge
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- Verb:
- color vermilion
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- Adjective:
- of a vivid red to reddish-orange color
Word Origin
- vermilion
- vermilion: [13] Etymologically, vermilion is ‘worm’-coloured. The word comes from Old French vermeillon, a derivative of vermeil ‘vermilion’. This in turn came from Latin vermiculus ‘little worm’, a diminutive form of vermis ‘worm’ (source of English vermicelli, vermin, etc and related to English worm). The link between ‘worms’ and ‘red’ is that in the post-classical period, Latin vermiculus was used for the ‘kermes’, a sort of scale insect from which red dye was obtained.=> vermin
- vermilion (n.)
- late 13c., "cinnabar, red dye," from Anglo-French and Old French vermeillon "red lead, cinnabar, (cosmetic) rouge" (12c.), from vermeil (see vermeil). As an adjective, from 1580s.
Example
- 1. The celestial array of apostles prophets and saints with their intricate golden haloes combined with contrasting lapis lazuli and vermilion is still vibrant after six centuries .
- 2. The celestial array of apostles , prophets and saints with their intricate golden haloes , combined with contrasting lapis lazuli and vermilion , is still vibrant after six centuries .
- 3. Each time , the men and women of the civil protection service were there in their distinctive yellow or vermilion overalls , rescuing survivors , erecting tents and distributing food , drink and sympathy .
- 4. When the flush of the morning has brightened into vermilion , and the place from which the sun is soon to emerge has attained a dazzling brilliancy , the robins are already less tuneful .
- 5. The one was a pretty cock goldfinch , with its hood of vermilion and its wings inlaid with the gold to which it owes its name , as unsoiled and smooth as if it had been preserved for a museum .