noun
cinnabar
SIN-uh-bar/ˈsɪnəbɑːr/
A vivid red mineral consisting of mercury sulfide.
A vivid red cinnabar crystal stands out against the pale rock in the display.
Etymology
Greek kinnabari names the red mineral; its English use originally emphasized the mineral’s role as a pigment. The Greek word’s earlier origin is uncertain, though probably Eastern.
In context
two coming together in one head and spewing forth what spewing forth this combination of mercury and sulfur as mercuric sulfide and mercuric sulfide is basically the prime ingredient of cinnabar which when it's treated becomes vermilion
More examples
- The mineral cinnabar consists of mercury sulfide.
- The artist chooses a cinnabar shade of red.
- A streak of cinnabar runs through the ore sample.
Forms
cinnabar
Similar words
- vermilion
- Vermilion is a vivid red pigment or color historically associated with mercury sulfide; cinnabar primarily names the mineral.