Word Study
alizarin
CIDE DICTIONARY
alizarin, n. [F. alizarine, fr. alizari.].
A coloring principle, C14H6O2(OH)2 , found in madder, and now produced artificially as an an orange-red crystalline compound from anthracene. It is used in making red pigments (such as the Turkish reds), and in dyeing. [1913 Webster]
OXFORD DICTIONARY
alizarin, n.
1 the red colouring matter of madder root, used in dyeing.
2 (attrib.) (of a dye) derived from or similar to this pigment.
1 the red colouring matter of madder root, used in dyeing.
2 (attrib.) (of a dye) derived from or similar to this pigment.
Etymology
F alizarine f. alizari madder f. Arab. al-' isara pressed juice f. ' asara to press fruit
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