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Definition of 'pigment'

Word Frequency

pigment

(pɪgmənt )
Word forms: plural pigments
variable noun
A pigment is a substance that gives something a particular colour.
[formal]
The Romans used natural pigments on their fabrics and walls.
...the brown pigment in the skin.
Synonyms: colour, colouring, paint, stain   More Synonyms of pigment
COBUILD Advanced English Dictionary. Copyright © HarperCollins Publishers
Word Frequency

pigment in British

(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
Collins English Dictionary. Copyright © HarperCollins Publishers
Derived forms
pigmentary (ˈpigmentary)
  adjective
Word origin of 'pigment'
C14: from Latin pigmentum, from pingere to paint
Word Frequency

pigment in American

(ˈpɪgmənt ; pigˈmənt)
noun
1. 
coloring matter, usually in the form of an insoluble powder, mixed with oil, water, etc. to make paints
2. 
any coloring matter in the cells and tissues of plants or animals
verb intransitive, verb transitive
3. 
to take on or cause to take on pigment; color or become colored
: also ˈpigmentˌize  Word forms: ˈpigmentˌized or ˈpigmentˌizing
Webster’s New World College Dictionary, 4th Edition. Copyright © 2010 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. All rights reserved.
Derived forms
pigmentary (ˈpigmenˌtary) (ˈpɪgmənˌtɛri ; pigˈmənterˌē)
  adjective
Word origin of 'pigment'
ME < L pigmentum < base of pingere, to paint

Example sentences containing 'pigment'

These examples have been automatically selected and may contain sensitive content. Read more…
This leaves a pigment in your skin. The Sun (2016)The ink of pigments will fade over time, especially for outside usage. Smithsonian Mag (2017)Others have suffered the formation of permanent brown pigment on their eyelids. Times, Sunday Times (2012)The result is now used for pigments and oils. Times, Sunday Times (2016)They bought whitewash and mixed it with natural dyes and pigments. Times, Sunday Times (2014)They give us colourful pigments that may help to protect our skin from sun damage and ageing. The Sun (2011)The gel is mixed with a green pigment and poured into the mould. The Sun (2011)You might have a skin pigment problem. The Sun (2009)It may also lose its natural colour and the pigment can change too. The Sun (2007)Dark can read as depressing without the nuances that natural pigments have. Times, Sunday Times (2015)The dual texture will give the dense pigments of a matte lippy plus a plump satin finish. The Sun (2014)The pigment in the skin could change and they may become more alike. The Sun (2015)Some antioxidant pigments are affected by heat treatment and look less vibrant in colour than their freshly prepared counterpart. Times, Sunday Times (2008) Colour pigment may also be added. Chapman, C. & Horsley, M. & Small, E. Technology Basic Facts (1990)The area cannot be exposed to sunlight for six weeks after a treatment as it can change the pigment in the skin. The Sun (2010)This pigment also gives the red colour to fruits, such as apples. Times, Sunday Times (2015)Natural pigment gives long-lasting colour that stays put. The Sun (2007)These need surgery to cut out'the pigment from the skin. The Sun (2013)Plus, its metallic pigments give eyeshadow something to hold on to and stop it looking too strong. The Sun (2014)This face and body shimmer adds a healthy glow while the mineral pigments maximise the skin 's radiance. The Sun (2007)WE all know eye colour and skin pigment is passed down from our parents. The Sun (2015)The potato and carrots are full of orange antioxidant pigments, which give the final purée an appealing orange colour. Times, Sunday Times (2008)Their colours are his pigments. Times, Sunday Times (2015)TRY intense colours with high pigment. The Sun (2016)Under the law, therefore, race involves more than just skin pigment. A Conceptual View of Human Resource Management: Strategic Objectives, Environments, FunctionsMade by drying fresh plums, prunes are great for a family of dark purple antioxidant pigments, thought to help the flow of blood and oxygen. The Sun (2014)

Trends of 'pigment'

In Common Usage. pigment is one of the 10000 most commonly used words in the Collins dictionary

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Translations for 'pigment'

British English: pigment NOUN
A pigment is a substance that gives something a particular colour.
They used natural pigments on their fabrics and walls.
  • American English: pigment
  • Brazilian Portuguese: pigmento
  • Chinese: 颜料
  • European Spanish: pigmento
  • French: pigment
  • German: Pigment
  • Italian: pigmento
  • Japanese: 顔料
  • Korean: 색소
  • European Portuguese: pigmento
  • Spanish: pigmento

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Nearby words of 'pigment'

  • pigman
  • pigmeat
  • pigmen
  • pigment
  • pigmental
  • pigmentation
  • pigmented

  • All ENGLISH words that begin with 'P'

Related Terms of 'pigment'

  • respiratory pigment

Source

Definition of pigment from the Collins English Dictionary

Ought to

The use of ought to is similar to should, but it is much less frequent. Like should, the verb ought to does not have a past form. It is only used with reference to the present and the future. Ought ...
Read more about 'Ought to'
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Scrabble score for 'pigment': 12
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