cochineal
noun
co·chi·neal ˈkä-chə-ˌnēl 
ˈkō-
1
: a red dye consisting of the dried bodies of female cochineal insects
2
: cochineal insect
Example Sentences
Recent Examples on the Web But blush prevailed again during the Renaissance, with concoctions of cochineal, sandalwood, or cinnabar mixed with grease or wax. 
Linda Wells, Town & Country, 16 Apr. 2021 The dye used by the Aztecs to produce this incredible tone of red was obtained from a tiny insect, the cochineal, that lives on cactus plants (various species belonging to the genus Opuntia, the prickly pear). Longreads, 23 Mar. 2021 The paintings are by Metsu and Ter Borch, the compositions and concepts subtly varied, yet each includes an elegant young woman in a shimmering white silk skirt and a cochineal-red bodice. Karen Wilkin, WSJ, 23 Oct. 2017 Starbucks was using what is called a cochineal dye, which is a natural dye derived from insects, to color its strawberry Frappuccinos. Joe Pinsker, The Atlantic, 8 May 2017
Linda Wells, Town & Country, 16 Apr. 2021 The dye used by the Aztecs to produce this incredible tone of red was obtained from a tiny insect, the cochineal, that lives on cactus plants (various species belonging to the genus Opuntia, the prickly pear). Longreads, 23 Mar. 2021 The paintings are by Metsu and Ter Borch, the compositions and concepts subtly varied, yet each includes an elegant young woman in a shimmering white silk skirt and a cochineal-red bodice. Karen Wilkin, WSJ, 23 Oct. 2017 Starbucks was using what is called a cochineal dye, which is a natural dye derived from insects, to color its strawberry Frappuccinos. Joe Pinsker, The Atlantic, 8 May 2017 Word History
Etymology
Middle French & Spanish; Middle French cochenille, from Old Spanish cochinilla cochineal insect
First Known Use
1582, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Phrases Containing cochineal
Medical Definition
cochineal
noun
co·chi·neal ˈkäch-ə-ˌnēl, ˈkō-chə-
: a red dye consisting of the dried bodies of female cochineal insects used especially as a biological stain and as an indicator