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cochineal Definition

cochi·neal (käc̸hə nēl′, käc̸h′ə nēl)

noun

a red dye made from the dried bodies of female cochineal insects: used, esp. formerly, in coloring foods, cosmetics, etc.

Etymology: Fr cochenille, prob. < L coccinus, scarlet-colored < coccum, a berry, scarlet: see coccus

cochineal Usage Examples

Modifies a noun

  • insect: More unhappy bugs - these tiny things are the dried bodies of cochineal insects.
  • dye: Cochineal dye was produced by a process of crushing, boiling then drying.

Browse dictionary entries near cochineal

  1. Cochin China
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  5. coccyx
  6. coccyges
  7. coccygeal
  8. -coccus
  9. coccus
  10. coccolith
  1. cochineal insect
  2. Cochise
  3. cochlea
  4. cochleae
  5. cochlear
  6. cochlear nerve
  7. cochleas
  8. cochleate
  9. cochleated
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