Orcin \Or"cin\, n. [Etymology uncertain: cf. F. orcine.] (Chem.) A colorless crystalline substance, {C6H3.CH3.(OH)2}, which is obtained from certain lichens ({Roccella}, {Lecanora}, etc.), also from extract of aloes, and artificially from certain derivatives of toluene. It changes readily into orcein.
roccella n : a source of the dye archil and of litmus [syn: {Roccella tinctoria}]