Cinnabar
/ˈsɪn.əˌbɑɹ/ adj, noun
adj, noun ·Uncommon ·Advanced level
Definitions
Noun
- 1 A deep red mineral, mercuric sulfide, HgS; the principal ore of mercury; such ore used as the pigment vermilion. countable, uncountable
- 2 large red-and-black European moth; larvae feed on leaves of ragwort; introduced into United States to control ragwort wordnet
- 3 A bright red colour tinted with orange. countable, uncountable
- 4 a heavy reddish mineral consisting of mercuric sulfide; the chief source of mercury wordnet
- 5 A species of erebid moth, Tyria jacobaeae, having red patches on its predominantly black wings. countable
"There are a few day-flying exceptions such as hummingbird hawk-moths, silver Ys, cinnabars, scarlet tigers and burnets but, in general, knowledge of moths lags behind that of butterflies."
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- 6 Synonym of dragon's blood (“type of resin”). countable, uncountable
- 7 The Elixir of Life. countable, uncountable
Adjective
- 1 Of a bright red colour tinted with orange.
Adjective
- 1 of a vivid red to reddish-orange color wordnet
Example
More examples"Vermilion is made from cinnabar, which is toxic."
Etymology
First attested in the mid-15th century. From Middle English cynabare, from Old French cinabre, from Latin cinnabaris, from Ancient Greek κιννάβαρι (kinnábari), of unknown origin.