archil

noun

ar·​chil ˈär-chəl 

1

: a violet dye obtained from lichens (especially genus Roccella)

2

: a lichen that yields archil

Word History

Etymology

Middle English orchell

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Medical Definition

archil

noun

ar·​chil ˈär-chəl 

variants also orchil

ˈȯr- 

1

: a violet dye obtained from lichens (genera Rocella and Lecanora) see cudbear

2

: a lichen that yields archil