Chem. [f. mod.L. coccus COCCUS + -IN.] A peculiar nitrogenous principle obtained from the cochineal and other insects.
1836–9. Todd, Cycl. Anat., II. 881/2. Analogous to the peculiar animal matter of cochineal, coccine.
1863–72. Watts, Dict. Chem., I. 1060. Coccin … resembles gelatin in some of its characters, albumin and fibrin in others.
1882. Syd. Soc. Lex., Coccin … in combination with chitin and an oil … forms the integument of insects.
