What is the Latin word for ochre?

The usual Latin words for “ochre” are ōchra, sīl, silus; also silācĕus. The right choice depends on the sense; see the distinctions below.

English → Latin

“ochre” in Latin

ōchraochre sīlA yellowish pigment used by painters in ancient times.silussnub-nosed, pug-nosed, having a broad, turned up nose silācĕuslike ochre

The English word ochre itself goes back to Latin ōchra.

Riddle & Arnold A Copious and Critical English–Latin Lexicon, 1864

ochre

ochra (Plin., Vitr.): sil, silis (Plin.): Of the color of yellow ochre, silaceus (Plin.).

Quick answer

What is the Latin word for ochre?: The usual Latin words for “ochre” are ōchra, sīl, silus; also silācĕus. The right choice depends on the sense; see the distinctions below.

Entry from J. E. Riddle & T. K. Arnold, A Copious and Critical English–Latin Lexicon (rev. C. Anthon, New York: Harper, 1864), digitised by Fergus J. P. Walsh, CC BY-SA 4.0; Latin markup adapted by latindictionary.co.