ˈärchə̇l noun
also or·chil ˈȯr- ; or ar·chil·la ärˈchilə
( -s )
Etymology: Middle English orchell, probably from Old Italian oricello
1. : a violet dye obtained as a pasty mass from certain lichens of the genera Roccella and Lecanora by fermentation with alkali (as ammonia) — compare cudbear , litmus
2. : a plant that yields archil
3. : any of the colors, imparted by the dye archil varying from moderate red to dark purplish red according as the dye bath is acid or alkaline — called also corcir