indigo

[in-di-goh] /ˈɪn dɪˌgoʊ/

noun, plural indigos, indigoes.

a blue dye obtained from various plants, especially of the genus Indigofera, or manufactured synthetically.

any of numerous hairy plants belonging to the genus Indigofera, of the legume family, having pinnate leaves and clusters of usually red or purple flowers.

a color ranging from a deep violet blue to a dark, grayish blue.

adjective

Also called indigo-blue, indigotic. of the color indigo.

Origin

1545-55; < Spanish or Portuguese, variant of índico < Latin indicum < Greek indikón, noun use of neuter of Indikós Indic

Examples from the web for indigo

These conquistadors began gold mining, soon enhancing this with industries in sugar, coffee and indigo.
The sections that shine in shades of pale indigo are regions of fine dust reflecting starlight.
Peaks, bathed in reflected light, turn purple and pink under an indigo sky.
indigo ran in and did a cartwheel, screaming for her father to look.
indigo-blue represents weak to light shaking and no damage.
The indigo night sky streamed in, trailing little moons and stars.

British Dictionary definitions for indigo

indigo

/ˈɪndɪˌɡəʊ/

noun (pl) -gos, -goes

Also called indigotin. a blue vat dye originally obtained from plants but now made synthetically

any of various tropical plants of the leguminous genus Indigofera, such as the anil, that yield this dye Compare wild indigo

any of a group of colours that have the same blue-violet hue; a spectral colour
(as adjective): an indigo carpet

Derived Forms

indigotic (ˌɪndɪˈɡɒtɪk) adjective

Word Origin

C16: from Spanish indico, via Latin from Greek Indikos of India

Word Origin and History for indigo

1550s, from Spanish indico, Portuguese endego, and Dutch (via Portuguese) indigo, all from Latin indicum "indigo," from Greek indikon "blue dye from India," literally "Indian (substance)," neuter of indikos "Indian," from India (see India). As "the color of indigo" from 1620s. Replaced Middle English ynde (late 13c., from Old French inde, from Latin indicum). Earlier name in Mediterranean languages was annil, anil (see aniline).

Slang definitions & phrases for indigo

indigo

noun

A kind of marijuana (1990s+ Narcotics)