1. A heavy reddish mineral consisting of mercuric sulphide; the chief source of mercury
   "Ancient civilizations used cinnabar as a pigment for its vibrant red colour"
    
2. Large red-and-black European moth; larvae feed on leaves of ragwort; introduced into United States to control ragwort
   "Cinnabar moths have proven effective at controlling invasive ragwort";
   - cinnabar moth, Callimorpha jacobeae

1. Of a vivid red to reddish-orange colour
   "The cinnabar flames danced in the fireplace";
   - vermilion, vermillion [rare], Chinese-red

Derived forms: cinnabars

See also: chromatic

Type of: arctiid, arctiid moth, mineral

Part of: Callimorpha, genus Callimorpha

Encyclopedia: Cinnabar