archil Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun a purplish dye obtained from orchil lichens
    cudbear; orchil.
  2. noun any of various lecanoras that yield the dye archil
    orchil.

WordNet

Ar"chil noun
Etymology
OF. orchel, orcheil, It. orcella, oricello, or OSp. orchillo. Cf. Orchil.
Definitions
  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 1913