Meanings (ES + gloss)
cochinilla
A scale insect of the species Dactylopius coccus, native to the tropical and subtropical Americas, which lives on prickly pear cacti (genus Opuntia).
A prodigious quantity of insects of all sorts (but no mosquitoes) assailed us at our evening meal. […] There were some that were larger—earwigs, cochineals, a little mole-cricket,…
The cochineal insects belong to the genus Dactylopius and are interesting not only on account of the dye, used in confectionery, that is obtained from them, but also because of the…
cochinilla • grana
A vivid red dye made from the dried bodies of cochineal insects.
The red dye—or cochineal red as it is called—is present in the body of cochineals, as is clearly apparent if one of the bugs is accidentally squashed. […] The dye was an instant su…
There is a Grove of Tuna-Trees above fifty Leagues in Length, vvhere above an hundred Tun of Cochinille might be gather'd every Year.
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