orchil

American  

[awr-kil, -chil] / ˈɔr kɪl, -tʃɪl /

noun

1. a violet coloring matter obtained from certain lichens, chiefly species of Roccella.

2. any lichen yielding this dye.

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orchil British  

/ -tʃɪl, ˈɔːkɪl /

noun

1. any of various lichens, esp any of the genera Roccella, Dendrographa, and Lecanora

2. Also called: cudbear.  a purplish dye obtained by treating these lichens with aqueous ammonia: contains orcinol, orcein, and litmus

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Etymology

Origin of orchil

Borrowed into English from Old French around 1475–85

Example Sentences

Much orchil was formerly gathered, and there is good pasturage for the numerous herds of cattle.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 5, Slice 3 "Capefigue" to "Carneades" by Various

Logwood violet is browned; that of orchil, if slightly reddish, is turned to a blue-violet; that of alkanet is modified to a fine blue.

From Scientific American Supplement, No. 363, December 16, 1882 by Various

The acid turns logwood violet to a fine red, and equally reddens orchil violet.

From Scientific American Supplement, No. 363, December 16, 1882 by Various

Litmus is also obtained from the same lichens as yield orchil.

From The Chemistry of Hat Manufacturing Lectures Delivered Before the Hat Manufacturers' Association by Shonk, Albert

It might, then, be confounded with orchil, but it is decolorized by hydrochloric acid, which leaves orchil a red.

From Scientific American Supplement, No. 363, December 16, 1882 by Various