METHYL VIOLET Meaning and
Definition
-
Methyl Violet is a noun that refers to a synthetic dye primarily composed of a class of basic dyes called triarylmethane. It is represented chemically as a mixture of various related compounds collectively known as methyl violet. The dye is commonly used in histology and bacteriology laboratory practices for staining purposes.
In its pure form, Methyl Violet appears as dark greenish crystals that are sparingly soluble in water. It possesses a distinct violet color, which is attributed to its ability to absorb specific wavelengths of visible light. This property makes it ideal for staining biological specimens or cellular components in microscopic analysis.
Methyl Violet is often utilized as a differential stain, meaning it imparts contrasting colors to different structures or organisms, aiding in their identification and differentiation. Its application in Gram staining, for instance, enables the differentiation of bacteria based on their cell wall composition. Methyl Violet is also employed in the preparation of various stains, such as Wright's stain, used for blood smears, or Giemsa stain, useful for identifying malaria parasites.
Apart from its laboratory applications, Methyl Violet has found limited use in other fields, including the dyeing of textiles and inks, though its significance in these sectors has diminished over time due to the development of more stable and vibrant dyes.
-
A stain employed in histological and bacteriological technique in 1/2 to 2 per cent. aqueous solution, coloring nuclei and certain bacteria pink.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
Common Misspellings for METHYL VIOLET
- Methyl Violmt
- Methyl Violat
- Methyl Violgt
- Methyl Viole4
- Methyl Violed
- Methyl Violep
- Methyl Violev
- Methyl Violeu
- m ethyl violet
- me thyl violet
- met hyl violet
- meth yl violet
- methy l violet
- methyl v iolet
- methyl vi olet
- methyl vio let
- methyl viol et
- methyl viole t
Etymology of METHYL VIOLET
The word "Methyl Violet" has its etymology in the combination of two components: "methyl" and "violet".
1. Methyl: The term "methyl" comes from the chemical compound "methane". "Meth-" refers to the single carbon atom, and "yl" indicates the presence of a hydrocarbon group, specifically a methyl group (-CH3).
2. Violet: The word "violet" originally derives from the Latin word "viola", which refers to the purple flower. It became associated with the color due to the violet flowers that bloom in nature.
Therefore, when the two components are combined, "Methyl Violet" refers to a purple-colored compound that contains a methyl group. It is a synthetic dye commonly used in various applications such as staining biological samples or as an indicator in chemical reactions and titrations.
