n.1 any of various pigments made from blue or green basic copper carbonate.
2 any similar pigment made from smalt.
3 a shade of blue or green given by these.
Phrases and idioms:
blue bice a shade of blue between ultramarine and azure derived from smalt. green bice a yellowish green colour derived by adding yellow orpiment to smalt.
Etymology: orig. brownish grey, f. OF bis dark grey, of unkn. orig.