carmine

play

noun car·mine \ˈkär-mən, -ˌmīn\

Definition of carmine

1 : a rich red to crimson pigment made from cochineal
2 : a vivid red

Recent Examples of carmine from the Web

Its carmine colored bark adds interest in the winter months, and in spring, meadow green foliage deepens to a wine color with the onset of warmer temperatures.

— patrice hanlon, The Mercury News, "Finding beautiful plants that will thrive in the shade," 4 May 2017
Reflecting Yuki’s artistic sensibility, each chapter narrated from her perspective begins with a description of an exotic shade of pigment — carmine, raw umber, quinacridone gold — selected to correspond to its mood.

— namara smith, New York Times, "A Japanese Woman’s Life in Art, Made in the Village," 10 Mar. 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'carmine.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of carmine

French carmin, from Medieval Latin carminium, perhaps ultimately from Arabic qirmiz kermes + Latin minium cinnabar

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1712

See Words from the same year

Medical Dictionary

carmine

play

noun car·mine \ˈkär-mən, -ˌmīn\

Medical Definition of carmine

: a vivid red lake consisting essentially of an aluminum salt of carminic acid made from cochineal and used as a biological stain and as coloring in foods, drugs, and cosmetics; also : any of various coloring matters (as indigo carmine) other than carmine