safranine

noun

saf·​ra·​nine ˈsa-frə-ˌnēn 

-nən

variants or safranin

ˈsa-frə-nən 

1

: any of various usually red synthetic dyes that are amino derivatives of bases

2

: any of various mixtures of safranine salts used in dyeing and as biological stains

Word History

Etymology

International Scientific Vocabulary, from French or German safran saffron

First Known Use

1868, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Medical Definition

safranine

noun

saf·​ra·​nine ˈsaf-rə-ˌnēn  -nən 

variants or safranin

-nən 

1

: any of various usually red synthetic dyes that are amino derivatives of bases

2

: any of various mixtures of safranine salts used in dyeing and as biological stains