orcein

[ awr-see-in ]
/ ˈɔr si ɪn /

noun Chemistry.

a red dye, the principal coloring matter of cudbear and orchil, obtained by oxidizing an ammoniacal solution of orcinol.

Origin of orcein

1830–40; arbitrary alteration of orcin; see orcinol

British Dictionary definitions for orcein

orcein
/ (ˈɔːsɪɪn) /

noun

a brown crystalline material formed by the action of ammonia on orcinol and present in orchil: used as a dye, biological stain, and antiseptic. Formula: C 28 H 24 O 7 N 2

Word Origin for orcein

C19: see orcinol

Medical definitions for orcein

orcein
[ ôrsē-ĭn ]

n.

A natural dye derived from orcinol and used in various histologic staining methods as a purple dye complex.