What is "fluoresceine"

fluorescein \fluo`res"ce*in\, fluoresceine \fluo`res"ce*ine\, fluorescein \flu`o*res"ce*["i]n\, n. (Chem.) A yellowish red, crystalline substance, C20H12O5, produced by heating together phthalic anhydride and resorcin; -- so called, from the very brilliant yellowish green fluorescence of its alkaline solutions. It has acid properties, and its salts of the alkalies are known to the trade under the name of uranin.

Syn: fluorescein, fluorescent dye, resorcinolphthalein.

n. (alternative spelling of fluorescein English)

n. a yellow dye that is visible even when highly diluted; used as an absorption indicator when silver nitrate solution is added to sodium chloride in order to precipitate silver chloride (turns pink when no chloride ions are left in solution and negative fluorescein ions are then absorbed) [syn: fluorescein, fluorescent dye, resorcinolphthalein]