bistre

American  

[bis-ter] / ˈbɪs tər /

Or bister

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.

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bistre British  

/ 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

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Other Word Forms

• bistred
  adjective

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Etymology

Origin of bistre

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

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

bistre

Frontispiece by H. Ryland in two states, black and bistre.

From A Catalogue of Books in English Later than 1700 (Vol 1 of 3) Forming a portion of the library of Robert Hoe by Various

She has also pretty eyes, of a bluish tint; but they are scarce observed after looking into those orbs of dark bistre, that seem to burn with an everlasting love-light.

From The Child Wife by Mayne Reid

Inks are made of pure black, slightly tempered with bistre or burnt sienna, and the shade can be varied according to taste.

From A Treatise on Etching by Maxime Lalanne

Silver paint in bistre touched up with white, on grey paper.

From Great Masters in Painting: Perugino by George C. Williamson

One hundred copies printed upon Japan paper, with illustrations in two states, blue and bistre.

From A Catalogue of Books in English Later than 1700 (Vol 1 of 3) Forming a portion of the library of Robert Hoe by Various

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