| The Columbia Encyclopedia, Sixth Edition. 2001-07. |
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| vermilion |
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| vivid red pigment of durable quality. It is a chemical compound of mercury and sulfur and is known as red sulfide of mercury; it was formerly obtained by grinding pure cinnabar but is now commonly prepared synthetically. Vermilion is a good pigment for protecting iron and steel and is therefore used in paints. It is commonly adulterated because of its high cost. Certain other materials are sometimes called vermilion; among them is imitation vermilion, prepared from a combination of red lead or basic lead chromate and certain other chemicals. |
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| | | The Columbia Encyclopedia, Sixth Edition. Copyright © 2007 Columbia University Press. |
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