dye-stuff

The artisan mixes the dye-stuff into a pot of water.

Definition

1. Noun:
   • A substance used for dyeing: "dye-stuff" refers to any material, natural or synthetic, that is used to impart color to textiles, hair, paper, or other materials. It is the raw material from which dyes are made.
   • A coloring agent: In a broader sense, "dye-stuff" can denote any chemical compound or natural extract capable of staining or coloring a substrate.

Usage Examples

• (The factory brings in raw coloring materials from India.)
• (Indigo is a natural substance used for coloring.)
• (The chemist created a new coloring agent.)

Advanced Usage

• "to be a source of dye-stuff": to provide raw material for dyes.

  • The bark of this tree is a valuable source of dye-stuff. (The tree's bark supplies coloring material.)

• "to extract dye-stuff": to obtain the coloring agent from a natural source.

  • The traditional method involves extracting dye-stuff from crushed insects. (The coloring agent is obtained from insects.)

Variants and Related Words

• Dye (n/v): a substance used to color materials; the act of applying such a substance.
  • She used a red dye to color the fabric. (She used a coloring agent.)
• Dyeing (n): the process of applying dye to materials.
  • Dyeing requires careful control of temperature and time. (The coloring process needs precise conditions.)
• Stuff (n): a general term for material or substance.
  • The shelf was filled with various stuffs for crafting. (The shelf held different materials.)

Synonyms

• Colorant: a substance that imparts color.
• Pigment: a colored material that is insoluble in the medium it colors (often used in paints).
• Dyestuff (alternative spelling): same as "dye-stuff."

Phrasal Verbs

Related Idioms