alkermes

American  

[al-kur-meez] / ælˈkɜr miz /

noun

1. a Mediterranean liqueur made from brandy flavored with nutmeg, cinnamon, cloves, and other spices, and colored red with kermes or cochineal.

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Etymology

Origin of alkermes

1595–1605; < Spanish < Arabic al the + qirmiz kermes

Example Sentences

He went by the longest route to the avenue de l'Opéra to buy fine essences of cedar and of that alkermes which makes the person tasting it think he is in an Oriental pharmaceutic laboratory.

From Là-bas by Wallace, Keene

He offered her some bonbons, which she refused, then she said she would take a sip of the alkermes, which he poured into a tiny silver goblet.

From Là-bas by Wallace, Keene