bistre

or bis·ter

[ bis-ter ]

noun

1. a brown pigment extracted from the soot of wood, often used in pen and wash drawings.
2. a yellowish to dark-brown color.

bistre

/ ˈbɪstə /

noun

1. a transparent water-soluble brownish-yellow pigment made by boiling the soot of wood, used for pen and wash drawings
2. 1. a yellowish-brown to dark brown colour
   2. ( as modifier )

      bistre paint

Other Words From

• bistred adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of bistre¹

1720–30; < French, Middle French, of obscure origin

Word History and Origins

Origin of bistre¹

C18: from French, of unknown origin

Example Sentences

Land was left on the starboard at a distance of about fifteen miles; the mountains seemed tinged with a red-coloured bistre.

From Project Gutenberg

A plate painted in bistre camaïeu with the Discovery of Calisto by Diana.

From Project Gutenberg

His eldest son was named after me, "Robert Bistre," for such is my name, which I have often thought of changing.

From Project Gutenberg

One hundred copies printed upon Japan paper, with illustrations in two states, blue and bistre.

From Project Gutenberg

No. 76 of eighty copies printed on Japanese vellum, with frontispiece in two colours, black and bistre.

From Project Gutenberg