archil

noun

ar·​chil ˈär-chəl How to pronounce archil (audio)
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

Time Traveler
The first known use of archil was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near archil

Archigetes

archil

Archilochian

See More Nearby Entries 

Cite this Entry

“Archil.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/archil. Accessed 28 Nov. 2024.

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Medical Definition

archil

noun
ar·​chil ˈär-chəl How to pronounce archil (audio)
variants also orchil
ˈȯr- How to pronounce archil (audio)
1
: a violet dye obtained from lichens (genera Rocella and Lecanora) see cudbear
2
: a lichen that yields archil

More from Merriam-Webster on archil

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about archil

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