Carmine \Car"mine\, n. [F. carmin (cf. Sp. carmin, It. carminio), contr. from LL. carmesinus purple color. See Crimson.]

1. A rich red or crimson color with a shade of purple.

2. A beautiful pigment, or a lake, of this color, prepared from cochineal, and used in miniature painting.

3. (Chem.) The essential coloring principle of cochineal, extracted as a purple-red amorphous mass. It is a glucoside and possesses acid properties; -- hence called also carminic acid.

Carmine red (Chem.), a coloring matter obtained from carmine as a purple-red substance, and probably allied to the phthale["i]ns.

Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)