Car"mine (?), n. [F. carmin
(cf. Sp. carmin, It. carminio), contr. from LL.
carmesinus purple color. See Crimson.]
1. A rich red or crimson color with a shade
of purple.
2. A beautiful pigment, or a lake, of
this color, prepared from cochineal, and used in miniature
painting.
3. (Chem.) The essential coloring
principle of cochineal, extracted as a purple-red amorphous mass.
It is a glucoside and possesses acid properties; -- hence called
also carminic acid.
Carmine red (Chem.), a coloring
matter obtained from carmine as a purple-red substance, and
probably allied to the phthaleïns.