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sepia

Origin: L, fr. Gr. The cuttlefish, or squid.

1. (Science: zoology) The common European cuttlefish. A genus comprising the common cuttlefish and numerous similar species.

2. A pigment prepared from the ink, or black secretion, of the sepia, or cuttlefish. Treated with caustic potash, it has a rich brown colour; 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.