roman sepia

1 definition found

roman sepia - Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 :

  Sepia \Se"pi*a\, n.; pl. E. Sepias, L. Sepiae. [L., fr. Gr.
     ??? the cuttlefish, or squid.]
     1. (Zool.)
        (a) The common European cuttlefish.
        (b) A genus comprising the common cuttlefish and numerous
            similar species. See Illustr. under Cuttlefish.
            [1913 Webster]
  
     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.
        [1913 Webster]
  
     Sepia drawing or Sepia picture, a drawing in monochrome,
        made in sepia alone, or in sepia with other brown
        pigments.
        [1913 Webster]