I. noun
or ver·mil·lion və(r)ˈmilyən
( -s )
Etymology: Middle English vermilioun, from Old French vermeillon, from vermeil, adjective, bright red, from Late Latin vermiculus kermes (scale from which red dyestuff is derived), from Latin, little worm, diminutive of vermis worm — more at worm
1.
a. : a bright red pigment consisting of mercuric sulfide formerly obtained from the mineral cinnabar but now always prepared synthetically (as by reaction of mercury, sulfur, and sodium hydroxide), that varies from crimson when coarse-grained to nearly orange when finely divided, and that is used chiefly as an artist's color and in rubber — called also Chinese vermilion ; see english vermilion
b. : any of various other red pigments: as
(1) : american vermilion
(2) : antimony vermilion
2.
a. : goya
b. : a variable color averaging a vivid reddish orange that is redder, darker, and slightly stronger than chrome orange, redder and darker than golden poppy, and redder and lighter than international orange
3. : vermeil 2a
4. : amboyna 1
II. transitive verb
or vermillion “
( -ed/-ing/-s )
: to color or tint with or as if with vermilion