pigment

[ pig-muhnt ]

noun

1. a dry insoluble substance, usually pulverized, which when suspended in a liquid vehicle becomes a paint, ink, etc.
2. a coloring matter or substance.
3. Biology. any substance whose presence in the tissues or cells of animals or plants colors them.

verb (used with object)

1. to color; add pigment to.

verb (used without object)

1. to become pigmented; acquire color; develop pigmentation:

   a poor quality of paper that doesn't pigment well.

pigment

/ ˈpɪɡmənt /

noun

1. a substance occurring in plant or animal tissue and producing a characteristic colour, such as chlorophyll in green plants and haemoglobin in red blood
2. any substance used to impart colour
3. a powder that is mixed with a liquid to give a paint, ink, etc

pigment

/ pĭg′mənt /

1. An organic compound that gives a characteristic color to plant or animal tissues and is involved in vital processes. Chlorophyll, which gives a green color to plants, and hemoglobin, which gives blood its red color, are examples of pigments.
2. A substance or material used as coloring.

Derived Forms

• ˈpigmentary, adjective

Other Words From

• hyper·pigment·ed adjective
• non·pigment·ed adjective
• un·pigment·ed adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of pigment¹

1350–1400; Middle English < Latin pigmentum paint, equivalent to pig- (stem of pingere to paint ) + -mentum -ment

Word History and Origins

Origin of pigment¹

C14: from Latin pigmentum, from pingere to paint

Example Sentences

Calico cats add white fur into the mix because they have a second, unrelated genetic mechanism that shuts down pigment production in some cells.

From Science Magazine

This gene causes the insect to produce the brownish pigment melanin.

From Science Daily

Photosynthesis is in turn linked to chlorophyll pigments, tiny green molecules that play a key role in harvesting light.

From Science Daily

The method would also turn the leftover crumb rubber into aromatics and carbon black, a soot-like material found in everything from pigments to cosmetics to electronics.

From Science Daily

"Parrots combine these with other pigments to create vibrant yellows, reds, and greens, making these animals among nature's most colourful," he mentions.

From Science Daily

Related Words

• coloring
• dye
• stain
• tint