counterstain
|coun-ter-stain|
C1
🇺🇸
/ˈkaʊntərˌsteɪn/
🇬🇧
/ˈkaʊntəˌsteɪn/
contrast dye
Etymology
Etymology Information
'counterstain' originates from the combination of 'counter-' meaning 'opposite' and 'stain' meaning 'to color or dye'.
Historical Evolution
'counterstain' was formed in the late 19th century as a term in microscopy.
Meaning Changes
Initially, it meant 'to apply a contrasting stain', and this meaning has largely remained the same in modern usage.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Last updated: 2025/06/05 06:09