ENGLISH
REFERENCE

vermilion

n. uncountable
C2 Proficiency US //vɝˈmɪɫjən// UK //vɜːmˈɪliən// ver·mil·ion Archaic

n. a bright, deep red color. It was a very popular color for paint and jewelry in the past.

n. a vivid, deep red color, typically associated with the pigment cinnabar. Often used in historical contexts to describe decorative arts or specific types of glass.


SIMPLE

The old palace walls were painted in bright vermilion.

CONTEXTUAL

The artist used vermilion to create the intense red tones in the portrait's background.

COMPLEX

The stained glass window features a striking vermilion hue that deepens as the light shifts from morning to midday.

Synonyms
Origin

From Middle English vermelioun, vermyloun, vermylon, vermilun, from Old French vermeillon (“vermilion”), from vermeil, 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.

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