When you say 'cochineal' are you speaking Greek?

'Cochineal' is a word borrowed from Greek 'kokkos'. The word entered the English language some time around 1582.

cochineal [noun] [1582]

• a red dye consisting of the dried bodies of female cochineal insects
• cochineal insect

Etymology: Middle French & Spanish; Middle French 'cochenille' from Old Spanish 'cochinilla' cochineal insect
Topics: Animals:Insects
Origin: From French to Spanish to Latin to Greek to English
note: From French cochenille or Spanish cochinilla from Latin coccinus scarlet from Greek kokkos berry (the insect bodies were mistaken for grains or berries).

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