a bright red or brownish-red mineral form of mercuric sulphide (mercury(II) sulphide), found close to areas of volcanic activity and hot springs. It is the main commercial source of mercury. Formula: HgS. Crystal structure: hexagonal
2.
the red form of mercuric sulphide (mercury(II) sulphide), esp when used as a pigment
3.
a bright red to reddish-orange; vermilion
4.
a large red-and-black European moth, Callimorpha jacobaeae: family Arctiidae (tiger moths, etc)
Word origin
C15: from Old French cenobre, from Latin cinnābaris, from Greek kinnabari, of Oriental origin
cinnabar in American English
(ˈsɪnəˌbɑr)
noun
1.
mercuric sulfide, HgS, a heavy, bright-red mineral, the principal ore of mercury
2.
artificial mercuric sulfide, used as a red pigment
3.
brilliant red; vermilion
Word origin
ME cinabare < L cinnabaris < Gr kinnabari < ? Ar zinjafr < Pers šangarf, red lead, cinnabar