Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Sepia \Se"pi*a\, n.; pl. E. {Sepias}, L. {Sepi[ae]}. [L., fr.
   Gr. ??? the cuttlefish, or squid.]
   1. (Zo["o]l.)
      (a) The common European cuttlefish.
      (b) A genus comprising the common cuttlefish and numerous
          similar species. See Illustr. under {Cuttlefish}.

   2. A pigment prepared from the ink, or black secretion, of
      the sepia, or cuttlefish. Treated with caustic potash, it
      has a rich brown color; and this mixed with a red forms
      {Roman sepia}. Cf. {India ink}, under {India}.

   {Sepia} {drawing or picture}, a drawing in monochrome, made
      in sepia alone, or in sepia with other brown pigments.