gentian violet

noun

Also known as crystal violet, a chemical dye used in the Gram stain test, and is also a fungicide. Chemically: hexamethyl pararosaniline chloride, C₂₅H₃₀ClN₃

Similar
crystal violet
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Meanings

noungentian violet (countable and uncountable, plural gentian violets)

plural gentian violets

  1. countableuncountablechemistryAlso known as crystal violet, a chemical dye used in the Gram stain test, and is also a fungicide. Chemically: hexamethyl pararosaniline chloride, C₂₅H₃₀ClN₃
  2. countableuncountableA violet colour similar to the gentian flower.
adjectivegentian violet (comparative more gentian violet, superlative most gentian violet)

comparative more gentian violet · superlative most gentian violet

  1. Having a violet colour similar to the gentian flower.

Synonyms & antonyms

nouna green crystal (violet in water) used as a dye or stain or bactericide or fungicide or anthelmintic or burn treatment

Similar
crystal violet
Broader
stainantibacterialantibacterial drugbactericide
Also see
crystal violet

Synonym sets from Open English WordNet, CC BY 4.0.

Translations

Chinese Mandarin 藍藥水 /蓝药水
  • 藍藥水 /蓝药水 (lányàoshuǐ)a chemical dye used in the Gram stain test, and is also a fungicide
Spanish violeta genciana, violeta de genciana
  • violeta gencianaa chemical dye used in the Gram stain test, and is also a fungicide
  • violeta de gencianaa chemical dye used in the Gram stain test, and is also a fungicide
Cite this entry
APA

gentian violet. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 4, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/gentian%20violet

MLA

“gentian violet.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/gentian%20violet. Accessed November 4, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “gentian violet,” accessed November 4, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/gentian%20violet.

Source: gentian violet on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.