vermilion

/vərˈmɪljən/

Other forms: vermilions; vermilioned

Vermilion is a deep, brilliant shade of red. You could describe your grandfather's reddish-orange scarf as vermilion.

The specific pigment know as vermilion was originally made from mercury sulfide, a chemical compound that produces a deep red color. This kind of vermilion was most famously used in enameled Chinese lacquerware. However, you can use the word vermilion to describe anything that's a particularly deep, rich shade of red. The root word is the French vermeil, "bright red," from the Latin vermiculus, "a little worm," or the insect that was historically used to make red dyes.

Definitions of vermilion

1. adjective

   of a vivid red to reddish-orange color
   synonyms: Chinese-red, cinnabar, vermillion

   chromatic

   being, having, or characterized by hue
2. noun

   a variable color that is vivid red but sometimes with an orange tinge
   synonyms: orange red, scarlet, vermillion

   type of:

   red, redness

   red color or pigment; the chromatic color resembling the hue of blood
3. verb

   to color a vivid red to reddish-orange color
   synonyms: vermillion

   type of:

   redden

   make red