alizarin

UK: /əˈlɪzərɪn/ US: (ə liz′ər in)

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

a•liz•a•rin  (ə liz′ər in), n. [Chem.]

1. Chemistry a solid appearing reddish-orange as crystals and brownish-yellow as powder, C₁₄H₈O₄, one of the earliest known dyes, formerly obtained in its natural state from madder and now derived from anthraquinone: used chiefly in the synthesis of other dyes.

Also, a•liz•a•rine  (ə liz′ər in, -ə rēn′). 

• Arabic al the + ‘aṣārah juice) + -ine -ine¹
• Spanish
• French alizarine, equivalent. to alizar(i) (
• 1825–35

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

alizarin / əˈlɪzərɪn/ noun

1. a brownish-yellow powder or orange-red crystalline solid used as a dye and in the manufacture of other dyes. Formula: C₆H₄(CO)₂C₆H₂(OH)₂

Etymology: 19th Century: probably from French alizarine, probably from Arabic al-’asārah the juice, from ’asara to squeeze