Definitions for: Cochineal

[n] Mexican red scale insect that feeds on cacti; the source of a red dye
[n] a red dyestuff consisting of dried bodies of female cochineal insects

Webster (1913) Definition: Coch"i*neal (?; 277), [Sp. cochinilla, dim. from L.
coccineus, coccinus, scarlet, fr. coccum the kermes berry, G.
? berry, especially the kermes insect, used to dye scarlet,
as the cohineal was formerly supposed to be the grain or seed
of a plant, and this word was formerly defined to be the
grain of the Quercus coccifera; but cf. also Sp. cochinilla
wood louse, dim. of cochina sow, akin to F. cochon pig.]
A dyestuff consisting of the dried bodies of females of the
Coccus cacti, an insect native in Mexico, Central America,
etc., and found on several species of cactus, esp. {Opuntia
cochinellifera}.

Note: These insects are gathered from the plant, killed by
the application of heat, and exposed to the sun to dry.
When dried they resemble small, rough berries or seeds,
of a brown or purple color, and form the cochineal of
the shops, which is used for making carmine, and also
as a red dye.

Note: Cochineal contains as its essential coloring matter
carminic acid, a purple red amorphous substance which
yields carmine red.

Synonyms: cochineal insect, Dactylopius coccus

See Also: Dactylopius, dye, dyestuff, genus Dactylopius, scale insect

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