pigment
pigment Lexical Profile
pigment Game Scores & Validity
• noun
A natural substance that gives color to the tissues, cells, or organs of plants and animals.
"Chlorophyll is the green pigment responsible for capturing light energy in plant leaves."
A dry insoluble powder that, when mixed with a liquid vehicle, creates paint, ink, or another coloring material.
"The Renaissance artist ground his own lapis lazuli to create a brilliant blue pigment for the fresco."
• verb
To color, dye, or tint a material or substance with a coloring agent.
"The manufacturer decided to pigment the plastic casing to match the brand's signature red color."
Word Nuance & Usage
In scientific and artistic contexts, a pigment is strictly distinguished from a dye; a pigment is insoluble and suspended in its liquid vehicle, whereas a dye dissolves completely.
• Rhymes for pigment
Word Origin & Etymology
From Latin 'pigmentum' (paint, color), derived from the verb 'pingere' (to paint, draw, or embroider).
Usage Trend
Historical frequency of usage in published text.