gentian violet

noun

1. a dye derived from rosaniline, used in chemistry as an indicator and in medicine as a fungicide, bactericide, anthelmintic, and in the treatment of burns.

gentian violet

noun

1. Also called: crystal violet. a greenish crystalline substance, obtained from rosaniline, that forms a violet solution in water, used as an indicator, antiseptic, and in the treatment of burns

Word History and Origins

Origin of gentian violet¹

First recorded in 1895–1900