turnsole

[ turn-sohl ]

noun

1. any of several plants regarded as turning with the movement of the sun.
2. heliotrope ( def 2 ).
3. a European plant, Chrozophora tinctoria, of the spurge family, yielding a purple dye.
4. the purple dye prepared from this plant; litmus.

turnsole

/ ˈtɜːnˌsəʊl /

noun

1. any of various plants having flowers that are said to turn towards the sun
2. a euphorbiaceous plant, Croton tinctoria , of the Mediterranean region that yields a purple dye
3. the dye extracted from this plant

Word History and Origins

Origin of turnsole¹

1325–75; Middle English turnesole < Middle French tournesol the dye < Italian tornasole the plant, literally, (it) turns (toward the) sun, on the model of Greek hēliotrópion heliotrope

Word History and Origins

Origin of turnsole¹

C14: from Old French tournesole , from Old Italian tornasole , from tornare to turn + sole sun, from Latin sōl sun

Example Sentences

The lower part from a was filled with water tinged blue, or rather purple, with the juice of turnsole, or archil.

From Project Gutenberg

He styles the colouring substance itself cutbear, persio, or turnsole; and distributes the lichens as follows:—1st.

From Project Gutenberg

The lichen which produces archil is subjected to another preparation, to make turnsole (litmus).

From Project Gutenberg

A violet tint is given by the tinctures of turnsole and cochineal.

From Project Gutenberg