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

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.

Other Word Forms

• hyperpigmented adjective
• nonpigmented adjective
• unpigmented adjective
• pigmentary 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

Hair installations or systems - such as wigs, toupees or extensions - and skin camouflage products such as pigmented fibre sprays may help to disguise the condition, according to the British Association of Dermatologists.

From BBC

Once it’s dry, the team applies a second coat of glaze pigment infused with black carbon nanoparticles.

From Los Angeles Times

The greater flamingo's pink colouring comes from a diet high in carotenoids - pigments found in algae and invertebrates such as shrimp.

From BBC

While dating pigments and other elements to Malevich's lifetime, the reports stop short of claiming the works were painted by the artist.

From BBC

Melanoma is a kind of skin cancer that first affects cells that help produce pigment for skin color, according to the Mayo Clinic.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• coloring 
• dye 
• stain 
• tint