COCHINEAL

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does cochineal mean? 

• COCHINEAL (noun)
  The noun COCHINEAL has 2 senses:

1. a red dyestuff consisting of dried bodies of female cochineal insects

2. Mexican red scale insect that feeds on cacti; the source of a red dye

  Familiarity information: COCHINEAL used as a noun is rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• COCHINEAL (noun)

Sense 1

Meaning:

A red dyestuff consisting of dried bodies of female cochineal insects

Classified under:

Nouns denoting substances

Hypernyms ("cochineal" is a kind of...):

dye; dyestuff (a usually soluble substance for staining or coloring e.g. fabrics or hair)

Sense 2

Meaning:

Mexican red scale insect that feeds on cacti; the source of a red dye

Classified under:

Nouns denoting animals

Synonyms:

cochineal; cochineal insect; Dactylopius coccus

Hypernyms ("cochineal" is a kind of...):

scale insect (small homopterous insect that usually lives and feeds on plants and secretes a protective waxy covering)

Holonyms ("cochineal" is a member of...):

Dactylopius; genus Dactylopius (type genus of the Dactylopiidae)