The noun is borrowed from Middle French cochenille (modern French cochenille), from Italian cocciniglia or Spanish cochinilla; further etymology uncertain, possibly from Latin coccineus, coccinus (“scarlet-dyed; scarlet in colour”) (whence Italian coccineo (“scarlet in colour”)) + Italian -iglia (suffix forming collective nouns), Spanish -illa (“diminutive suffix”). Coccinus is derived from Ancient Greek κόκκῐνος (kókkĭnos, “scarlet; (figurative) blushing”, adjective), from κόκκος (kókkos, “kermes oak (Quercus coccifera); insect of the genus Kermes living on the oak; scarlet dye made from crushed kermes insects”) (possibly from Pre-Greek) + -ῐνος (-ĭnos, suffix forming adjectives). According to the Oxford English Dictionary, cochineal is not derived from Spanish cochinilla (“pill bug, especially the common pill bug (Armadillidium vulgare)”), a diminutive of cochina (“female pig, sow”) (from the animal’s shape), which coincidentally has the same spelling as cochinilla (“cochineal”). The adjective is derived from the noun.

Rhymes for cochineal

deal zeal teal real meal seal heal peal veal Neal beal ideal

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Frequently asked questions

What is the meaning of cochineal?

"cochineal" (noun) means a small insect that lives on prickly pear cactus plants in warm parts of the Americas.

What are the different meanings of cochineal?

"cochineal" has 3 main meanings: 1. A small insect that lives on prickly pear cactus plants in warm parts of the Americas; 2. A bright red dye produced from the dried bodies of small insects; 3. The bright red colour of this dye.