cochineal

Phonetic Respelling: [ koch-uh-neel, koh-chuh-, koch-uh-neel, koh-chuh- ]

Definition:

n. 1 Mexican red scale insect that feeds on cacti; the source of a red dye; 2 a red dyestuff consisting of dried bodies of females of the above insect

Sentence:

Before the introduction of synthetic dyes cochineal was commonly used.

More example sentences:

Before the introduction of synthetic dyes cochineal was commonly used.

Hear it

Synonyms:

Mexican insect; Dactylopiuscoccus;red dye

Antonyms:

blue dye