{ Ker"chiefed, Ker"chieft } (?), a. Dressed; hooded; covered; wearing a
kerchief. Milton.
Kerf (?), n. [AS. cyrf a cutting off, fr. ceorfan to cut, carve. See
Carve.] A notch, channel, or slit made in any material by cutting or
sawing.
Ke"rite (?), n. [Gr. ke`ras, horn.] A compound in which tar or
asphaltum combined with animal or vegetable oils is vulcanized by
sulphur, the product closely resembling rubber; -- used principally as
an insulating material in telegraphy. Knight.
Kerl (?), n. See Carl.
Ker"mes (?), n. [Ar. & Per. girmiz. See Crimson, and cf. Alkermes.] 1.
(Zoöl.) The dried bodies of the females of a scale insect (Coccus
ilicis), allied to the cochineal insect, and found on several species
of oak near the Mediterranean. They are round, about the size of a pea,
contain coloring matter analogous to carmine, and are used in dyeing.
They were anciently thought to be of a vegetable nature, and were used
in medicine. [Written also chermes.]
2. (Bot.) A small European evergreen oak (Quercus coccifera) on which
the kermes insect (Coccus ilicis) feeds. J. Smith (Dict. Econ. Plants).
Kermes mineral. (a) (Old Chem.) An artificial amorphous trisulphide of
antimony; -- so called on account of its red color. (b) (Med. Chem.) A
compound of the trioxide and trisulphide of antimony, used in medicine.
This substance occurs in nature as the mineral kermesite.
Ker"messe (?), n. [F.] See Kirmess.
Kern (?), n. [Ir. ceatharnach.Cf. Cateran. ] 1. A light-armed foot
soldier of the ancient militia of Ireland and Scotland; --
distinguished from gallowglass, and often used as a term of contempt.
Macaulay.
Now for our Irish wars; We must supplant those rough, rug-headed
kerns.
Shak.