orchell

Middle English

Alternative forms

• orchil (later)

Etymology

From Old French orchel, orseil, from Old Catalan orxella (influenced by dialectal Arabic [script needed] ('urjālla)), from Italian oricello, Latin ōricilla, diminutive of ōricula (variant of auricula), both diminutives of auris (“ear”)) + illa (a double diminutive suffix) or from auris (“ear”) + cula + illa. The name of the dye was influenced by the visual resemblance of the lichen used in production to a small ear.

Noun

orchell (uncountable)

1. A violet or red dye obtained from certain lichens; archil.
2. The lichen used to produce this dye.

Descendants

• English: orchil