cochineal insect

American  

noun

1. any of various small red scale insects of the family Dactylopiidae, related to the mealybugs and characterized by an oval segmented body with white waxy plates and short legs and antennae: the source of cochineal.

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Etymology

Origin of cochineal insect

First recorded in 1795–1805

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

cochineal insect

Meal′y-bug, a small species of cochineal insect covered with a while powdery substance resembling meal or flour.—adj.

From Chambers's Twentieth Century Dictionary (part 2 of 4: E-M) by Various

‘Grain’ is from Lat. granum, a seed, applied to small objects, and hence to the coccus or cochineal insect which yields a variety of red dyes.

From Milton's Comus by Bell, William

Scarlet could not be obtained, but was yielded by the cochineal insect.

From History of Phoenicia by Rawlinson, George

Silkworms have been bred with success in some departments, and the cochineal insect is found wherever the conditions are favourable for the cactus.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 4, Slice 2 "Bohemia" to "Borgia, Francis" by Various

This is the cochineal insect, but only the wild variety; the fine kind, which is used for dye, and conies from the province of Oajaca, miles off, is covered only with a mealy powder.

From Anahuac : or, Mexico and the Mexicans, Ancient and Modern by Tylor, Edward Burnett