tincture

noun
tinc·​ture | \ ˈtiŋ(k)-chər How to pronounce tincture (audio) \

Definition of tincture

 (Entry 1 of 2)

1 : a solution of a medicinal substance in an alcoholic solvent
2a : a characteristic quality : cast
b : a slight admixture : trace a tincture of doubt
3a : color, tint
b archaic : a substance that colors, dyes, or stains
4 : a heraldic metal, color, or fur
5 obsolete : an active principle or extract

tincture

verb
tinctured; tincturing\ ˈtiŋ(k)-​chə-​riŋ How to pronounce tincturing (audio) , -​shriŋ \

Definition of tincture (Entry 2 of 2)

transitive verb

1 : to tint or stain with a color : tinge
2a : to infuse or instill with a property or entity : impregnate
b : to imbue with a quality : affect writing tinctured with wit and wisdom

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Synonyms & Antonyms for tincture

Synonyms: Noun

cast, color, hue, shade, tinge, tint, tone

Synonyms: Verb

bepaint [archaic], color, dye, paint, pigment, stain, tinge, tint

Antonyms: Verb

decolorize

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Did You Know?

Noun

Tincture derives from the same root as "tint" and "tinge" - the Latin verb tingere, meaning "to moisten or dip." "Tincture" specifically derives via Middle English from the Latin tinctus, the past participle of "tingere." When the word first appeared in English in the 14th century, "tincture" referred to a coloring matter or dye, but by the 17th century the word had acquired a number of additional meanings, including "a slight infusion or trace of something." "Tinge" and "shade" are two other words referring to color that can be used the same way. "Tincture" can also refer, among other things, to the colors used in a coat of arms or an herbal or medicinal solution.

Examples of tincture in a Sentence

Noun

a ragged shirt that seemed to be stained with the tincture of blood

Verb

clouds tinctured by the rays of the setting sun

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun

From vape pens to tinctures, ointments and boutique flower, the company plans to produce a range of high-end products infused with cannabis and other herbs. Nick Ibarra, The Mercury News, "Melissa Etheridge’s cannabis company gets OK from Santa Cruz County," 27 July 2019 Treatment options include strawberry laser lipo, massages, herbal facials and remedies and a variety of oils (including CBD), tinctures, teas and more. Deborah Storey | For Al.com, al, "Huntsville salt therapy spa part of nationwide trend," 25 July 2019 Herbalists often recommend mugwort, either in a tea or tincture, for vivid dreams and inner vision. Zoe Greenberg, BostonGlobe.com, "Making medicine on the mountain," 10 July 2019 Emily Rosser, Visual Director Alexis Smart designed a line of tinctures that utilize the diverse healing properties of flowers. Zoe Ruffner, Vogue, "10 Decadent Beauty Splurges Worthy of Your Tax Return, According to Vogue Editors," 10 Apr. 2019 That includes 1,181 pounds of dried flower and 12,152 units of tinctures, vaping oils and edibles. Jackie Borchardt, Cincinnati.com, "Ohio medical marijuana prices are still high but going down as market grows," 9 Jan. 2019 While the state is awash in dry marijuana flower that's dirt cheap, the specialized oils, tinctures and potent edibles used to alleviate severe illnesses can be harder to find and more expensive to buy. Anchorage Daily News, "Analysis: Medical pot takes hit when weed legal for all," 11 June 2019 Two others have received permission to start making edibles, oils, tinctures, patches and other products. Jackie Borchardt, Cincinnati.com, "Ohio medical marijuana prices are still high but going down as market grows," 9 Jan. 2019 Carson uses five drops daily of the THC free CBD oil tincture. William Thornton | Wthornton@al.com, al.com, "CBD oil has made believers out of these Alabamians," 3 June 2019

Recent Examples on the Web: Verb

To avoid a rush at the pharmacy, Capitol Wellness Solutions scheduled appointments for patients to pick up the liquid tinctures that will be the first medical marijuana product available — bottles that come with a dropper for patients to use. Washington Post, "Louisiana launching medical marijuana after years of waiting," 6 Aug. 2019 To avoid a rush at the pharmacy, Capitol Wellness Solutions scheduled appointments for patients to pick up the liquid tinctures that will be the first medical marijuana product available — bottles that come with a dropper for patients to use. Melinda Deslatte, BostonGlobe.com, "Louisiana launching medical marijuana after years of waiting," 6 Aug. 2019 That sartorial elegance bespoke a deep embrace of tradition, tinctured with just the right amount of satire to be amusing. Roger Kimball, WSJ, "Tom Wolfe Had the Right Stuff," 15 May 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'tincture.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of tincture

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 3b

Verb

1616, in the meaning defined at sense 1

History and Etymology for tincture

Noun

Middle English, from Latin tinctura act of dyeing, from tinctus, past participle of tingere to tinge

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More Definitions for tincture

tincture

noun

English Language Learners Definition of tincture

technical : a medicine that is made of a drug mixed with alcohol

tincture

noun
tinc·​ture | \ ˈtiŋ(k)-chər How to pronounce tincture (audio) \

Medical Definition of tincture

: a solution of a medicinal substance in an alcoholic or hydroalcoholic menstruum — compare liquor sense b