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Webster 1913 Edition

Archil

Ar′chil

(?; 277)
,
Noun.
[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
.]

Webster 1828 Edition

Archil

'ARCHIL

,
Noun.
A lichen, which grows on rocks, in the Canary and Cape de Verd isles, which yields a rich purple color, not durable, but very beautiful. It is bruised between stones, and moistened with strong spirit of urine mixed with quick lime. It first takes a purplish red color, and then turns to blue. In the first state it is called archil; and in the second, lacmas or litmase, litmus.

Definition 2024

archil

archil

English

Noun

archil ‎(countable and uncountable, plural archils)

  1. A violet dye obtained from several species of lichen (Roccella tinctoria, etc.), which grow on maritime rocks in the Canary and Cape Verde Islands, etc.
  2. The plant from which the dye is obtained.

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