annatto

[ uh-nat-oh, uh-nah-toh ]
/ əˈnæt oʊ, əˈnɑ toʊ /

noun, plural an·nat·tos.

Also called lipstick tree. a small tree, Bixa orellana, of tropical America.
Also arnatto. a yellowish-red dye obtained from the pulp enclosing the seeds of this tree, used for coloring fabrics, butter, varnish, etc.
Also anatto.
Also called achiote.

Origin of annatto

Borrowed into English from Carib around 1675–85

Example sentences from the Web for annatto

British Dictionary definitions for annatto

annatto

anatto

/ (əˈnætəʊ) /

noun plural -tos

a small tropical American tree, Bixa orellana, having red or pinkish flowers and pulpy seeds that yield a dye: family Bixaceae
the yellowish-red dye obtained from the pulpy outer layer of the coat of the seeds of this tree, used for colouring fabrics, butter, varnish, etc

Word Origin for annatto

from Carib