Coccus \Coc"cus\, n.; pl. Cocci. [NL., fr. Gr. ? grain, seed.
   See Cochineal.]
   1. (Bot.) One of the separable carpels of a dry fruit.
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   2. (Zool.) A genus of hemipterous insects, including scale
      insects, and the cochineal insect (Coccus cacti).
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   3. (Biol.) A form of bacteria, shaped like a globule.
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Cochineal \Coch"i*neal\ (k[o^]ch"[i^]*n[=e]l; 277), [Sp.
   cochinilla, dim. from L. coccineus, coccinus, scarlet, fr.
   coccum the kermes berry, G. ko`kkos berry, especially the
   kermes insect, used to dye scarlet, as the cochineal was
   formerly supposed to be the grain or seed of a plant, and
   this word was formerly defined to be the grain of the
   Quercus coccifera; but cf. also Sp. cochinilla wood louse,
   dim. of cochina sow, akin to F. cochon pig.]
   A dyestuff consisting of the dried bodies of females of the
   Coccus cacti, an insect native in Mexico, Central America,
   etc., and found on several species of cactus, esp. Opuntia
   cochinellifera.
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   Note: These insects are gathered from the plant, killed by
         the application of heat, and exposed to the sun to dry.
         When dried they resemble small, rough berries or seeds,
         of a brown or purple color, and form the cochineal of
         the shops, which is used for making carmine, and also
         as a red dye.
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   Note: Cochineal contains as its essential coloring matter
         carminic acid, a purple red amorphous substance which
         yields carmine red.
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