annatto
[ uh-nat-oh, uh-nah-toh ]
/ əˈnæt oʊ, əˈnɑ toʊ /
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noun, plural an·nat·tos.
Also called lipstick tree . a small tree, Bixa orellana, of tropical America.
Also ar·nat·to [ahr-nat-oh, -nah-toh] /ɑrˈnæt oʊ, -ˈnɑ toʊ/ . a yellowish-red dye obtained from the pulp enclosing the seeds of this tree, used for coloring fabrics, butter, varnish, etc.
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Sometimes a·nat·to .
Also called achiote.
Origin of annatto
Borrowed into English from Carib around 1675–85
Words nearby annatto
Annapolis Royal, Annapurna, Ann Arbor, annates, Annatol, annatto, Anne, anneal, Anne Boleyn, annectent, annectent gyrus
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Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2021
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British Dictionary definitions for annatto
annatto
anatto
/ (əˈnætəʊ) /
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
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