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   coch·i·neal

   /ˈkäCHəˌnēəl/

   noun

   • 1. a scarlet dye used chiefly for coloring food.
   • ▪ a dye similar to cochineal made from the oak kermes insect.
   • 2. the scale insect that is used for cochineal, native to Mexico and formerly widely cultivated on cacti.

   Word Origin late 16th century: from French cochenille or Spanish cochinilla, from Latin coccinus ‘scarlet’, from Greek kokkos ‘berry’ (the insect bodies were mistaken for grains or berries). Compare with coccus, kermes.

   Scrabble Points: 16

   • C

     3

   • O

     1

   • C

     3

   • H

     4

   • I

     1

   • N

     1

   • E

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   • A

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   • L

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