gentian violet

noun

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.

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Also called crystal violet, methylrosaniline chloride.

Origin of gentian violet

First recorded in 1895–1900

Words nearby gentian violet

genteel, genteelism, gentian, gentian blue, gentian family, gentian violet, gentianaceous, gentianella, gentianophil, gentianophobic, gentile
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020

British Dictionary definitions for gentian violet

gentian violet

noun

a greenish crystalline substance, obtained from rosaniline, that forms a violet solution in water, used as an indicator, antiseptic, and in the treatment of burnsAlso called: crystal violet
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Medical definitions for gentian violet

gentian violet
[ jĕn′shən ]

n.

Any of several basic dyes that are derivatives of pararosaniline, especially a dark green or greenish mixture that is used as a biological stain and as a bactericide, a fungicide, and an anthelmintic.
The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.