Pronunciation: ' gramz-
Variant: or Gram stain \ ' gram- \
Function: noun
Etymology: Hans C. J. Gram † 1938 Danish physician
Date: 1903
1 : a method for the differential staining of bacteria by treatment with a watery solution of iodine and the iodide of potassium after staining with a triphenylmethane dye (as crystal violet) ― called also Gram's method
2 : the chemicals used in Gram's stain