The dried female insects, Coccus cacti, enclosing the young larvae, or the dried female insect, Dactylopius coccus, containing eggs and larvae, from which coccinellin is obtained; used as a red coloring agent and a stain. See carmine. SYN: coccinella, coccus (2). [O.Sp. cochinilla, wood louse, fr. G. kokkinos, berry]
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co·chi·neal 'käch-ə-.nēl, 'kō-chə- n a red dye consisting of the dried bodies of female cochineal insects used esp. as a biological stain and as an indicator
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coch·i·neal (koch″ĭ-nēlґ) the dried female insects, Coccus cacti, enclosing the young larvae; it is the source of carmine and carminic acid.Medical dictionary. 2011.