Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Carmine \Car"mine\, n. [F. carmin (cf. Sp. carmin, It.
   carminio), contr. from LL. carmesinus purple color. See
   {Crimson}.]
   1. A rich red or crimson color with a shade of purple.

   2. A beautiful pigment, or a lake, of this color, prepared
      from cochineal, and used in miniature painting.

   3. (Chem.) The essential coloring principle of cochineal,
      extracted as a purple-red amorphous mass. It is a
      glucoside and possesses acid properties; -- hence called
      also {carminic acid}.

   {Carmine red} (Chem.), a coloring matter obtained from
      carmine as a purple-red substance, and probably allied to
      the phthale["i]ns.

Source : WordNet®

carmine
     adj : having any of numerous bright or strong colors reminiscent
           of the color of blood or cherries or tomatoes or rubies
           [syn: {red}, {reddish}, {ruddy}, {blood-red}, {cerise},
            {cherry}, {cherry-red}, {crimson}, {ruby}, {ruby-red},
            {scarlet}]
     n : a variable color averaging a vivid red [syn: {cardinal}]
     v : color carmine