Pigment

Origin

From Latin pigmentum ("pigment"), itself from pingō ("I paint") + -mentum; variants of this word may have been known in Old English (e.g. 12th century pyhmentum).

Full definition of pigment

Noun

1. (biology) Any color in plant or animal cellsChlorophyll is the pigment responsible for most plants' green colouring.
2. A dry colorant, usually an insoluble powderUmber is a pigment made from clay containing iron and manganese oxide.
3. (obsolete) Wine flavoured with spices and honey.

Derived terms

• pigmentary

Related terms

• pimiento

Verb

1. (transitive) To add color or pigment to something.

Derived terms

• pigmentation

Anagrams

• temping