cochineals

Noun

cochineal (countable and uncountable, plural cochineals)

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).
   • The Cochineel is an Inſect, bred in a ſort of Fruit much like the Prickle Pear. […] The Silveſter gives a colour almoſt as fair as the Cochineel; and ſo like it as to be often miſtaken for it, but it is not near ſo valuable.1697, William Dampier, chapter VIII, in A New Voyage Round the World. […], London: […] James Knapton, […], →OCLC, pages 228–229
2. (uncountable) A vivid red dye made from the dried bodies of cochineal insects.
   • Or if you can finde the berrie of Cochenile with whiche wee colour Stammelles, or any Roote, Berrie, Fruite, wood or earth fitte for dying, you winne a notable thing fitt for our ſtate of clothing. This Cochenile is naturall in the west Indies on that firme.1527, R[ichard] H[akluyt], compiler, “Notes Framed by a Gentleman heretofore to bee Giuen to One that Prepared for a Discouerie, and Went Not: And Not Unfitt to be Committed to Print, Considering the...

   Synonyms:

   E120

3. (uncountable) The vivid red colour of this dye.
   • And I to make all knovv, I am not ſhallovv / VVill have my points [i.e., lace] of Cucchineale and yellovv.c. 1621–1623 (date written), Philip Massinger, The Maid of Honour. […], London: […] I[ohn] B[eale] for Robert Allot, […], published 1632, →OCLC, Act V, scene i, signature [K4], recto

See all 4 meanings of cochineal