Cinnabar: meaning, definitions and examples
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cinnabar
[ ˈsɪnəbɑː ]
red mineral
Cinnabar is a bright red mineral consisting of mercury sulfide. It is the most common ore of mercury and has been used for centuries as a pigment for red paint.
Synonyms
mercury sulfide, vermilion.
Which Synonym Should You Choose?
| Word | Description / Examples |
|---|---|
| cinnabar |
Like the first 'cinnabar', this word can be repeated for emphasis in certain contexts, particularly scientific discussions where the term might need reiteration.
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| mercury sulfide |
This term is used in scientific or technical contexts, especially in chemistry, to refer to the compound with the formula HgS. It's the chemical name of cinnabar and is most appropriate in precise scientific discussions.
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| vermilion |
This word is typically used in artistic contexts to describe a bright red pigment made from powdered cinnabar. It is often used in painting, artwork, and descriptions of vibrant red colors.
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Examples of usage
- The artist used cinnabar to create the vibrant red hues in the painting.
- Miners extracted cinnabar from the earth to obtain mercury.
Etymology
The word cinnabar comes from the Old French word 'cinabre', which is derived from the Latin word 'cinnabaris'. The Latin word itself is ultimately of Greek origin, with 'kinnabari' being the Greek word for the mineral. Cinnabar has been used since ancient times for its vibrant red color and was often associated with the god Mercury in alchemical traditions.