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gentian violet

gentian violet

8.4
A purple dye used to stain lab slides and treat small skin infections
  • noun
  • /ˈdʒɛnʃən ˈvaɪəlɪt/
  • Specialized
translation icon : violeta de genciana
  • When these drops are used in conjunction with gentian violet, they are usually started 5 days after the application of gentian violet to allow the gentian violet to dry and be effective.

Examples

  • One thing that they resorted to several times was coating my vulva with gentian violet, an old-time treatment that actually did kill the yeast on my skin.

    Blog text (27)
  • The key to using gentian violet is to wait until its drying effect reduces the granulation tissue before using any other drops.

    Academic text (2003)
  • Then we apply gentian violet as a drying agent.

    Academic text (2003)
  • I don't have an alternative to gentian violet or acetic acid, and I occasionally have to use them.

    Academic text (2003)
  • Gentian violet has been found to be ototoxic, as has acetic acid.

    Academic text (2003)
  • Other clinical studies have found clotrimazole to be the most effective antifungal agent in vivo, followed by gentian violet and nystatin.

    Academic text (2008)
  • When these drops are used in conjunction with gentian violet, they are usually started 5 days after the application of gentian violet to allow the gentian violet to dry and be effective.

    Academic text (2002)
  • When these drops are used in conjunction with gentian violet, they are usually started 5 days after the application of gentian violet to allow the gentian violet to dry and be effective.

    Academic text (2002)
  • The doctor used gentian violet on the patient's wound to prevent infection.

  • Mothers often apply gentian violet to treat oral thrush in infants.

Synonyms

crystal violet
vsgentian violet
  • Specialized
7.0

A dark purple dye used to colour cells for microscopes and to help stop infection

is used more broadly in medicine and biology rather than mainly for microscopy

Surface Forms

Morphology

gentian + violet

The compound is clearly built from 'gentian' (a plant) + 'violet' (a color), so a learner who knows the constituents can infer it refers to something violet-related or associated with the gentian plant. However, the specific status of 'gentian violet' as a technical dye/antiseptic (a named chemical) and its usages are specialized and not predictable from the parts alone, so full comprehension requires prior exposure.

Etymology

The name gentian violet may come from the deep purple gentian flower and the word violet, which describe its color. Because it is a strong purple dye that stains skin and microscope slides, the name helps explain why people use it as a 'dye' and 'antiseptic' today.