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What is "orchil"

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orchil
The Collaborative International Dictionary
orchil

Archil \Ar"chil\ (?; 277), n. [OF. orchel, orcheil, It. orcella, oricello, or OSp. orchillo. Cf. Orchil.]

  1. A violet dye obtained from several species of lichen ( Roccella tinctoria, etc.), which grow on maritime rocks in the Canary and Cape Verd Islands, etc.
    --Tomlinson.

  2. The plant from which the dye is obtained. [Written also orchal and orchil.]

Wiktionary
orchil

n. 1 Any of several lichens, especially those of the genera ''Roccella'' and ''Lecanora''. 2 The dye, orcein, extracted from them.

WordNet
orchil

  1. n. a purplish dye obtained from orchil lichens [syn: archil, cudbear]

  2. any of various lecanoras that yield the dye archil [syn: archil]

Usage examples of "orchil".

Among them are aniline violet, iodine violet, madder, alkanet, orchil and logwood.

Apply chloride of lime, to be followed by a solution of yellow prussiate of potash: absence of a blue coloration leaves orchil and logwood to be considered.