An Etymological Dictionary of Astronomy and Astrophysics

A mineral, mercuric sulphide, HgS, which is the primary → ore for the production of → mercury. It is a → crystalline solid with a bright → red
color. Cinnabar is highly toxic.

See also: From O.Fr. cinabre, from L. cinnabaris, from Gk. kinnabari, maybe ultimately from Pers. šangarf “red lead, cinnabar,” of unknown origin.