COCHINEALS
Noun
cochineals
plural of cochineal
Anagrams
• ascolichen, coachlines
Source: Wiktionary
COCHINEAL
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