I. ˈpig-mənt noun
Etymology: Middle English, spice, dye, from Latin pigmentum coloring substance, from pingere to paint — more at paint
Date: 14th century
1. : a substance that imparts black or white or a color to other materials ; especially : a powdered substance that is mixed with a liquid in which it is relatively insoluble and used especially to impart color to coating materials (as paints) or to inks, plastics, and rubber
2. : a coloring matter in animals and plants especially in a cell or tissue ; also : any of various related colorless substances
• pig·men·tary -mən-ˌter-ē adjective
II. -ˌment, -mənt transitive verb
Date: 1900
: to color with or as if with pigment