pigment
PIG-muhnt
/ˈpɪɡ.mənt/
A substance used as coloring matter, especially a dry powder to be mixed with a liquid.
Unlike dyes, which dissolve into a liquid, pigments are finely ground solid particles that remain suspended in a carrier medium to provide opaque, long-lasting color.
The story behind the word. The word 'pigment' travels back to the Latin verb 'pingere', meaning 'to paint'. In ancient Rome, 'pigmentum' referred to any colored substance or cosmetic. Over the centuries, it transitioned from a general term for paint to a scientific and artistic term for the raw, insoluble powders that give color to everything from oil paints to tattoo inks.
Word relationships
- colorant: Colorant is a broad term for anything that adds color, whereas pigment specifically refers to insoluble dry powders suspended in a medium.
- dye: Dyes are soluble substances that chemically bind to a substrate, whereas pigments are insoluble particles that sit on or within a medium.
- bleach: Bleach removes or destroys color, whereas pigment actively introduces color.
Commonly confused with
- dye: Dye dissolves completely in liquid and stains materials chemically, while pigment consists of tiny solid particles that must be suspended in a liquid carrier.
Word family
- pigmentation (noun): The natural coloring of animal or plant tissue.
- pigmented (adjective): Colored with pigment.
Collocations
- organic pigment
- pigment concentration
- skin pigment
- vibrant pigment
Example sentences
- "It was the pigment of his skin, which was of a dark, purplish, yellow color, here and there matching the squares of his tattooing." A classic literary observation of human skin coloration. (Moby Dick by Herman Melville)
- "The artist mixed a custom blue pigment with sterile water to achieve the perfect sky-blue hue." Explaining the composition of modern tattoo inks.
Memory hook
Think of a PIG painting a MENT (monument) with bright, colorful powder. Pigment is the powder that paints your skin.
When not to use
Do not use 'pigment' when referring to a dissolved chemical dye or a simple liquid paint that does not rely on suspended particulate matter.
Fun facts
- In ancient times, some of the most vibrant blue pigments were made by grinding up the semi-precious stone lapis lazuli, making them more expensive than gold.
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