Word Study
safranine
CIDE DICTIONARY
safranine, n. [So called because used as a substitute for safranin.].
An orange-red nitrogenous dyestuff produced artificially by oxidizing certain aniline derivatives, and used in dyeing silk and wool; also, any one of the series of which safranine proper is the type. [1913 Webster]
OXFORD DICTIONARY
safranine, n. (also safranin) any of a large group of mainly red dyes used in biological staining etc.
Etymology
F safranine (as SAFFRON): orig. of dye from saffron
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