cochineal

cochineal Definition

cochi·neal (käc̸h′ə 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.

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