annatto

[uh-nat-oh, uh-nah-toh]

noun, plural an·nat·tos.

Also called lipstick tree. a small tree, Bixa orellana, of tropical America.

Also arnatto. a yellowish-red dye obtained from the pulp enclosing the seeds of this tree, used for coloring fabrics, butter, varnish, etc.

Also anatto.

Origin of annatto

Borrowed into English from Carib around 1675–85

Also called achiote.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for annatto

Historical Examples of annatto

Annatto is sometimes added to milk to increase its richness of color.
The Mother and Her Child
William S. Sadler
If annatto is present, there will be a reddish-yellow stain on the paper.
Detection of the Common Food Adulterants
Edwin M. Bruce
The colour given by annatto approaches very nearly the natural colouring matter of milk fat.
The New Gresham Encyclopedia. Vol. 1 Part 2
Various
Yellow: Yellow straw is produced in the same manner, using turmeric and annatto only.
Philippine Mats
Hugo H. Miller
This may be colored with anything desired, like burnt sienna, annatto, or other coloring material.
Practical Mechanics for Boys
J. S. Zerbe

British Dictionary definitions for annatto

annatto

anatto

noun plural -tos

a small tropical American tree, Bixa orellana, having red or pinkish flowers and pulpy seeds that yield a dye: family Bixaceae

the yellowish-red dye obtained from the pulpy outer layer of the coat of the seeds of this tree, used for colouring fabrics, butter, varnish, etc

Word Origin for annatto

from Carib

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012