cochineal

[ koch-uh-neel, koh-chuh-, koch-uh-neel, koh-chuh- ]

/ ˌkɒtʃ əˈnil, ˌkoʊ tʃə-, ˈkɒtʃ əˌnil, ˈkoʊ tʃə- /

noun

a red dye prepared from the dried bodies of the females of the cochineal insect, Dactylopius coccus, which lives on cactuses of Mexico, Central America, and other warm regions.

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Origin of cochineal

1575–85; < Middle French cochinille < Spanish cochinilla the insect; of obscure origin; perhaps to be identified with Spanish cochinilla sow bug (assuming a likeness between it and the female cochineal insect), diminutive of cochina sow, but chronology is doubtful

Words nearby cochineal

cochairman, cochairperson, cochin, cochin china, cochin-china, cochineal, cochineal cactus, cochineal insect, cochise, cochlea, cochlear aqueduct

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020

Example sentences from the Web for cochineal

The ammoniacal solution of the colouring matter of cochineal yields three well-marked absorption bands.
Cooley's Practical Receipts, Volume II|Arnold Cooley
And, lastly, scarlet is the powder of the cochineal precipitated by a salt of tin.
The Insect World|Louis Figuier
An ammoniacal solution of cochineal is used for making many violet and mallow colours.
A Dictionary of Arts, Manufactures and Mines|Andrew Ure
In the cochineal case, it was obvious to the court and to the spectators.
Discourse of the Life and Character of the Hon. Littleton Waller Tazewell|Hugh Blair Grigsby

A pound of cochineal gives in this way an ounce and a half of carmine.
A Dictionary of Arts, Manufactures and Mines|Andrew Ure

British Dictionary definitions for cochineal

cochineal

/ (ˌkɒtʃɪˈniːl, ˈkɒtʃɪˌniːl) /

noun

Also called: cochineal insect a Mexican homopterous insect, Dactylopius coccus, that feeds on cacti

a crimson substance obtained from the crushed bodies of these insects, used for colouring food and for dyeing

the colour of this dye
(as adjective)cochineal shoes

Word Origin for cochineal

C16: from Old Spanish cochinilla, from Latin coccineus scarlet-coloured, from coccum cochineal kermes, from Greek kokkos kermes berry

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

Medical definitions for cochineal

cochineal

[ kŏch′ə-nēl′, kŏch′ə-nēl′, kō′chə-nēl′, kō′chə-nēl′ ]

n.

A red dye made of dried, pulverized female cochineal insects and used as a biological stain and as an indicator in acid-base titrations.