n. [ OF. orchel, orcheil, It. orcella, oricello, or OSp. orchillo. Cf. Orchil. ] 1. A violet dye obtained from several species of lichen (Roccella tinctoria, etc.), which grow on maritime rocks in the Canary and Cape Verd Islands, etc. Tomlinson. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. The plant from which the dye is obtained. [ Written also orchal and orchil. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ L. Archilochius. ] Of or pertaining to the satiric Greek poet Archilochus; as, Archilochian meter. [ 1913 Webster ]

{ } n. [ Cf. F. archiluth, It. arciliuto. ] (Mus.) A large theorbo, or double-necked lute, formerly in use, having the bass strings doubled with an octave, and the higher strings with a unison. [ 1913 Webster ]