Vermillon
/vərˈmɪlən/noun
A variant spelling of vermilion, a brilliant red pigment or color.
Did you know?The name refers to scale insects whose dried bodies supplied the red dye; the Latin root also produced words connected with worms and vermin.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*wer-
“To turn, bend, or twist; a proposed ancient root connected with wormlike movement.”
Classical Latin
Latin
vermis
“Worm.”
Classical Latin
Latin
vermiculus
“Little worm; also a small scale insect used to produce red dye.”
Medieval Latin
Latin
vermiculus
“The dye-producing insect and the red pigment made from it.”
12th–13th Century
Old French
vermeillon
“Bright red, from a diminutive form related to vermilion and the worm-derived dye.”
14th Century
English
vermillion
“A vivid red pigment or color; spelling variants included forms with double l.”
Modern English
English
vermillon
“An established variant spelling of vermilion.”
Explore more surprising origins