piceous

adjective

pi·ce·ous ˈpī-sē-əs

: of, relating to, or resembling pitch

especially : glossy brownish black in color

an insect with a piceous abdomen

Word History

Etymology

Latin piceus, from pic-, pix pitch — more at pitch

First Known Use

1646, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler

The first known use of piceous was in 1646

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Browse Nearby Words

Picenum

piceous

pichiciago

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Cite this Entry

Style

“Piceous.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/piceous. Accessed 4 Nov. 2025.

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