[syn: archil, orchil]
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:
Orchil \Or"chil\, n.
See Archil.
[1913 Webster]
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:
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.
[1913 Webster]
2. The plant from which the dye is obtained. [Written also
orchal and orchil.]
[1913 Webster]
WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006):
orchil
n 1: a purplish dye obtained from orchil lichens [syn: orchil,
archil, cudbear]
2: any of various lecanoras that yield the dye archil [syn:
archil, orchil]