Definition of pigment

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< piglet

pigmentation >

pig·ment    (pgmnt) KEY 

NOUN:

1. A substance used as coloring.
2. Dry coloring matter, usually an insoluble powder, to be mixed with water, oil, or another base to produce paint and similar products.
3. A substance, such as chlorophyll or melanin, that produces a characteristic color in plant or animal tissue.

TRANSITIVE VERB:
pig·ment·ed, pig·ment·ing, pig·ments

To color with pigment.

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ETYMOLOGY:
Middle English, spice, red dye, from Latin pigmentum, from pingere, to paint; see peig- in Indo-European roots

OTHER FORMS:
pigmen·tary  (pgmn-tr) KEY (Adjective)