Archil

(ar'kil,) ORCHIL, and CUDBEAR. (Chem.) A violet-red dye, obtained from many species of lichens, but principally from those belonging to the gen. Roccella. It is chiefly used to improve the dye of other colors, and to give richne and brilliancy to them. The coloring matter is due to the chemical principle or cine. [s. 43]