cochineal

n. தம்பலப்பூச்சி, இந்திரகோபம், உடலுலர்த்திச் செஞ்சாயமாகப் பயன்படுகிற செந்நிறப் பூச்சி வகை, உலர்ந்த பூச்சி வகையிலிருந்து எடுக்கப்படும் செஞ்சாயப்பொருள்.

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Coch"i*neal, Etym: [Sp. cochinilla, dim. from L. coccineus, coccinus, scarlet, fr. coccum the kermes berry, G. Quercus coccifera; but cf. also Sp. cochinilla wood louse, dim. of cochina sow, akin to F. cochon pig.] Defn: 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.

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