counterstain

American  

[koun-ter-steyn, koun-ter-steyn] / ˈkaʊn tərˌsteɪn, ˌkaʊn tərˈsteɪn /

noun

1. a second stain of a different color applied to a microscopic specimen and used to color and contrast those parts not retaining the first stain.

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verb (used with object)

1. to treat (a microscopic specimen) with a counterstain.

verb (used without object)

1. to become counterstained; take a counterstain.

counterstain British  

/ ˈkaʊntəˌsteɪn /

verb

1. to apply two or more stains in sequence to (a specimen to be examined), each of which colours a different tissue

2. (tr; usually passive) to apply (one of a series of stains) to a specimen to be examined

   haematoxylin is counterstained with eosin

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Etymology

Origin of counterstain

First recorded in 1890–95; counter- + stain

Example Sentences

Counterstain with Kuehne's carbolic methylene-blue for one or two minutes.

From The Elements of Bacteriological Technique A Laboratory Guide for Medical, Dental, and Technical Students. Second Edition Rewritten and Enlarged. by Eyre, J. W. H. (John William Henry)

Counterstain in eosin, 1 per cent. aqueous solution.

From The Elements of Bacteriological Technique A Laboratory Guide for Medical, Dental, and Technical Students. Second Edition Rewritten and Enlarged. by Eyre, J. W. H. (John William Henry)

Counterstain very lightly with aqueous solution of Neutral Red.

From The Elements of Bacteriological Technique A Laboratory Guide for Medical, Dental, and Technical Students. Second Edition Rewritten and Enlarged. by Eyre, J. W. H. (John William Henry)

Counterstain in methylene blue, aqueous solution thirty seconds.

From The Elements of Bacteriological Technique A Laboratory Guide for Medical, Dental, and Technical Students. Second Edition Rewritten and Enlarged. by Eyre, J. W. H. (John William Henry)