Definition of "cochineal" in inglés

noun

1. (countable) A scale insect of the species Dactylopius coccus, native to the tropical and subtropical Americas, which lives on prickly pear cacti (genus Opuntia).

2. (uncountable) A vivid red dye made from the dried bodies of cochineal insects.

3. (uncountable) The vivid red colour of this dye.

adjective

1. Possessing a vivid red colour, as or as if produced from dyeing with cochineal dye (noun noun, sense 2).