roucou

A woman uses roucou to dye a piece of fabric.

Definition

1. Noun:
   • A dye: "roucou" refers to a reddish-orange dye derived from the seeds of the achiote tree (Bixa orellana), used historically for coloring foods, textiles, and cosmetics.
   • The tree itself: "roucou" can also denote the tropical tree that produces these seeds, native to Central and South America.

Usage Examples

• Noun (dye):
  • The indigenous people used roucou to paint their bodies for ceremonial purposes. (A natural dye for body decoration.)
• Noun (tree):
  • The roucou tree grows abundantly in the Amazon rainforest. (A tropical tree species.)

Advanced Usage

• "roucou paste": a preparation made from the seeds, often used as a food coloring or spice.
  • The chef added roucou paste to the stew for a vibrant color. (A culinary ingredient.)

Variants and Related Words

• Achiote (n): the more common name for the same dye and tree in English-speaking contexts.
  • Achiote is also known as annatto in commercial food products. (A synonym for roucou.)

Synonyms

• Annatto: a common commercial name for the dye derived from Bixa orellana seeds.
• Bixa orellana: the scientific name for the roucou tree.

Related Idioms

• No common idioms directly use "roucou"; it is primarily a technical or botanical term.