pigment Hear it!

pigment definition

pig·ment (pig′mənt)

noun

  1. coloring matter, usually in the form of an insoluble powder, mixed with oil, water, etc. to make paints
  2. any coloring matter in the cells and tissues of plants or animals

Etymology: ME < L pigmentum < base of pingere, to paint

intransitive verb, transitive verb

to take on or cause to take on pigment; color or become colored
also pigmentize pig′·ment·ize′

Related Forms:

  • pigmentary pig′·men·tar′y (-mən ter′ē) adjective

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2009 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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