COCHINEAL

cochineal

(noun) a red dyestuff consisting of dried bodies of female cochineal insects

Source: WordNet® 3.1

Etymology

Noun

cochineal (countable and uncountable, plural cochineals)

(entomology) A species of insect (Dactylopius coccus).

A vivid red dye made from the bodies of cochineal insects.

Synonym: E120

The vivid red color of this dye.

Adjective

cochineal (not comparable)

Possessing a vivid red color, as produced from dying with cochineal.

Anagrams

• coachline

Source: Wiktionary

Coch"i*neal, Etym: [Sp. cochinilla, dim. from L. coccineus, coccinus, scarlet, fr. coccum the kermes berry, G. Quercus coccifera; but cf. also Sp. cochinilla wood louse, dim. of cochina sow, akin to F. cochon pig.]

Definition: A dyestuff consisting of the dried bodies of females of the Coccus cacti, an insect native in Mexico, Central America, etc., and found on several species of cactus, esp. Opuntia cochinellifera.

Note: These insects are gathered from the plant, killed by the application of heat, and exposed to the sun to dry. When dried they resemble small, rough berries or seeds, of a brown or purple color, and form the cochineal of the shops, which is used for making carmine, and also as a red dye.

Note: Cochineal contains as its essential coloring matter carminic acid, a purple red amorphous substance which yields carmine red.

Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition