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cinnabar Definition

cin·na·bar (sin′ə bär′)

noun

  1. mercuric sulfide, HgS, a heavy, bright-red mineral, the principal ore of mercury
  2. artificial mercuric sulfide, used as a red pigment
  3. brilliant red; vermilion

Etymology: ME cinabare < L cinnabaris < Gr kinnabari < ? Ar zinjafr < Pers šangarf, red lead, cinnabar

cinnabar Usage Examples

Modifies a noun

  • moth: Often to be seen at the right time of year is the caterpillar of the cinnabar moth feeding on the ragwort.
  • caterpillar: A good number of Ragwort plants had Cinnabar caterpillars feeding on them.
  • lacquer: Qing dynasty, tricolor cinnabar lacquer box and cover In this context we should also consider briefly our definition of art.