Definition of "gentian violet" [gentian violet]

• A dye used in microscopy as a biological stain and in medicine as a bactericide, fungicide, and anthelmintic. (noun)

American Heritage(R) Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright (c) 2011 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.