Ar'chil, n.

(är'kil) (Synop., § 130), n. [Fr. orchel, orchel, orceille, orseille, orsolle, ursolle, roccelle, Sp. orchilla, Pg. orzella, It. oricello, orcella, roccella, N. Lat. (lichen) roccella, from Fr. roc, m., roche, f., Pr. & Pg. roca, roche, Sp. roca, It. rocca, roccia, rock; because it grows on rocks. See ROCK.] A violet dye obtained from several species of lichen (Rocella tinctoria, &c.), which grow on the rocks in the Canary and Cape Verd Islands. It is used in dyeing to modify or brighten other colors, and is called also orchil and cudbear. Tomlinson.