a heavy reddish mineral consisting of mercuric sulfide; the chief source of mercury
cinnabar
How to use cinnabar in a sentence. Example sentences and definitions for cinnabar.
Editorial note
I think they gloss over cinnabar too quickly.
Quick take
a heavy reddish mineral consisting of mercuric sulfide; the chief source of mercury
Meaning at a glance
The clearest senses and uses of cinnabar gathered in one view.
large red-and-black European moth; larvae feed on leaves of ragwort; introduced into United States to control ragwort
of a vivid red to reddish-orange color
Definitions
Core meanings and parts of speech for cinnabar.
noun
a heavy reddish mineral consisting of mercuric sulfide; the chief source of mercury
noun
large red-and-black European moth; larvae feed on leaves of ragwort; introduced into United States to control ragwort
adjective
of a vivid red to reddish-orange color
See also: vermilion, vermillion, Chinese-red
Example sentences
I think they gloss over cinnabar too quickly.
They already have places full of mercury naturally: cinnabar mines.
You have to get to nearly the end before the author admits that cinnabar, a long-known and common mercury ore, is an intense red colour.
Interesting they mention cinnabar, one of the candidates for the origin of the "red mercury" myth.
The Chinese used to chew on cinnabar which they believed to be healthy and give longevity but was toxic, since it is actually mercury sulfide.
Mercury actually concentrates into little beads on cinnabar ore, and is not very reactive.
Being a plant has nothing to do with it being available to exposure for our evolutionary history as cinnabar certainly predates humanity.
Proper noun examples
That seems especially likely since the center of a person's Qi in traditional Chinese medicine is often called the "Cinnabar Field" and cinnabar was used in Taoist alchemy that often sought immortality.
Frequently asked questions
Short answers drawn from the clearest meanings and examples for this word.
How do you use cinnabar in a sentence?
I think they gloss over cinnabar too quickly.
What does cinnabar mean?
a heavy reddish mineral consisting of mercuric sulfide; the chief source of mercury
What part of speech is cinnabar?
cinnabar is commonly used as noun, adjective.