pigment
This term carries a technical and scientific weight, evoking a sense of chemistry and biological composition. It describes the actual substance that creates color, rather than the perceived color itself. In a biological sense, it suggests an organic, intrinsic property of a cell or tissue. In the context of art and industry, it implies a raw, concentrated material. It differs from dye in that pigments are typically insoluble particles that sit on the surface of a material, whereas dyes bond chemically with the fibers.
Countable when referring to a specific type of coloring agent (e.g., a rare organic pigment). Uncountable when referring to the general substance or the coloring matter within a biological organism.
Meanings
A natural coloring matter found in animal or plant tissue.
"The pigment in a leaf changes color in autumn."
A dry coloring powder mixed with a liquid to create paint.
"The artist mixed a deep blue pigment with linseed oil."
Examples
Chlorophyll is the primary pigment found in green plants.
The painter carefully blended the red pigment into the medium.