cochineal UK /ˌkɒt͡ʃɪˈniːl/US /ˌkɑt͡ʃɪˈni(ə)l/noun 3adjective 1forms 1 noun3 •A scale insect of the species Dactylopius coccus, native to the tropical and subtropical Americas, which lives on prickly pear cacti (genus Opuntia). •A vivid red dye made from the dried bodies of cochineal insects.Cociniglia, a kinde of rich flie or graine comming out of India to dye scarlet vvith, called Cutchenele. — 1598 •The vivid red colour of this dye.And I to make all knovv, I am not shallovv / VVill have my points [i.e., lace] of Cucchineale and yellovv. — 1621 adjective1 •Possessing a vivid red colour, as or as if produced from dyeing with cochineal dye.Batavus [a tulip variety], of somewhat the same shade, was slightly taller, and perhaps with a little more cochineal color. — 1936 formscochineals
