bistre

Or bis·ter

[bis-ter]

noun

1. a brown pigment extracted from the soot of wood, often used in pen and wash drawings.

2. a yellowish to dark-brown color.

bistre

/ ˈbɪstə /

noun

1. a transparent water-soluble brownish-yellow pigment made by boiling the soot of wood, used for pen and wash drawings

2. 1. a yellowish-brown to dark brown colour

   2. ( as modifier )

      bistre paint

Other Word Forms

• bistred adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of bistre¹

1720–30; < French, Middle French, of obscure origin

Word History and Origins

Origin of bistre¹

C18: from French, of unknown origin

Example Sentences

St. Jerome: Leonardo da Vinci, painted in bistre.

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The resulting tints were very delicate in detail, of a colour varying between a bistre and olive tint, and after washing dried with a brilliant surface.

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In the morning, the chatelaine looked much the same as usual, but for the circle of bistre round her eyes, which had grown deeper, giving an air of lassitude.

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The eyes were unduly large, and, surrounded with bistre circles, glistened with feverish lustre.

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A very singular drawing in pen and ink and bistre.

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