pigment
Americannoun
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a dry insoluble substance, usually pulverized, which when suspended in a liquid vehicle becomes a paint, ink, etc.
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a coloring matter or substance.
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Biology. any substance whose presence in the tissues or cells of animals or plants colors them.
verb (used with object)
verb (used without object)
noun
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a substance occurring in plant or animal tissue and producing a characteristic colour, such as chlorophyll in green plants and haemoglobin in red blood
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any substance used to impart colour
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a powder that is mixed with a liquid to give a paint, ink, etc
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An organic compound that gives a characteristic color to plant or animal tissues and is involved in vital processes. Chlorophyll, which gives a green color to plants, and hemoglobin, which gives blood its red color, are examples of pigments.
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A substance or material used as coloring.
Other Word Forms
- hyperpigmented adjective
- nonpigmented adjective
- pigmentary adjective
- unpigmented adjective
Etymology
Origin of pigment
1350–1400; Middle English < Latin pigmentum paint, equivalent to pig- (stem of pingere to paint ) + -mentum -ment
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
After applying a variety of advanced scientific techniques, the team determined that the residue came from azurite, a bright blue mineral pigment that has not previously been documented in Paleolithic art in Europe.
From Science Daily
Through handmade pigments, intuitive process and mythic storytelling, her paintings honor the interconnectedness of all beings and the sacred nature of everyday life.
From Los Angeles Times
Its provenance was certified through methods including X-ray imaging and pigment analysis, he added.
From Barron's
Silicone-based materials came into play for his face, soldiers, chest, back and right arm, since the material is clear and can be dyed to match the pigment of the creature’s skin.
From Los Angeles Times
Measurements of chlorophyll showed normal levels for nearly all pigments, except for a 20% drop in chlorophyll a, a light-sensitive compound.
From Science Daily
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
