Emily Dickinson Lexicon
Definition for ARCH'IL
ARCH-I-E-PISC'O-PALARCH-I-LO'CHI-AN
ARCH'IL, n.
A lichen, which grows on rocks, in the Canary and Cape de Verd isles, which yields a rich purple color, not durable, but very beautiful. It is bruised between stones, and moistened with strong spirit of urine mixed with quick lime. It first takes a purplish red color, and then turns to blue. In the first state it is called archil; and in the second, lacmas or litmase, litmus. – Encyc.
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