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.

Nearby words

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

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

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

Examples 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

Medicine 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.