carmine

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   a vivid purplish-red pigment or dye traditionally made from cochineal insects

   The artist mixed carmine with white to paint the lips.

2. 2
   adj

   of a vivid, slightly purplish red color

   A carmine ribbon stood out against the gray dress.

Simplified etymology

Carmine, recorded in English in the early 18th century, takes its name from the kermes insects used to produce the red dye.

Through French carmin from Medieval Latin carminium, ultimately related to Arabic qirmiz, 'kermes or crimson dye,' and Persian words for the dye-producing insect. Carmine, crimson, and kermes belong to the same historical word family; the color name comes from the insect-derived pigment.

Topics

External links

• Google Images
• Cambridge Dictionary
• Wiktionary