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Glite Dictionary
archil

archil

9.9
A purple dye made from certain lichens that grow on rocks and trees
  • noun
  • /ˈɑrkɪl/
  • Specialized
: archil
  • The purple cloth was dyed with archil, extracted from special lichens.

Examples

  • The process of making archil involves fermenting lichen and exposing it to air.

  • Textiles colored with archil were highly prized during the Renaissance.

  • The artist used archil to create vibrant colors.

  • Many fabrics are dyed with archil for a rich hue.

  • Textiles colored with archil were highly prized during the Renaissance.

  • The purple cloth was dyed with archil, extracted from special lichens.

  • Many fabrics are dyed with archil for a rich hue.

Synonyms

orchil
vsarchil
  • Archaic
9.9

A purple dye made from lichens to color cloth

is identified by specific lichen genera rather than by historic use
cudbear
vsarchil
  • Archaic
9.9

A purple dye made from certain lichens used to color cloth

is named for specific lichen genera rather than for a prepared fabric dye

Surface Forms

archil singular
archils plural

Etymology

Archil comes from an old name for a purple dye made from certain lichens. A helpful way to remember it is to imagine tiny plants being turned into a deep 'purple' colour by a special process, which is why archil today means that purplish-red dye.