Reddish dye (5) Crossword Clue
Answer: EOSIN (5 letters)
The answer to the crossword clue "Reddish dye" with 5 letters is "EOSIN".Eosin is a reddish dye commonly used in biology and medicine for staining tissue samples in laboratory procedures. It helps enhance contrast in microscopic images, making cell structures more visible for examination.
Why “Eosin” Fits
The clue asks for a single word (5 letters) meaning “reddish dye.” The answer, EOSIN, fits exactly:
- Reddish dye: Eosin is a red or pink fluorescent dye widely used in biology, medicine, and histology for staining purposes.
- Direct match: With five letters, eosin perfectly matches the clue’s enumeration.
- Precise meaning: The word directly defines a chemical substance known for its distinctive reddish hue and practical application as a dye.
The term eosin has scientific and linguistic depth linked to natural coloration and analytical science:
- Origin and usage: From Greek ēōs (“dawn”), reflecting its pinkish-red color, reminiscent of early daylight. First used in the 19th century as a stain derived from fluorescein.
- Contexts: Commonly employed in laboratories, particularly in the haematoxylin and eosin (H&E) stain technique for examining biological tissues.
- Examples: “Eosin stains the cytoplasm pink,” or “The laboratory used eosin to highlight cell structures under the microscope.”
Quick crossword clues like “reddish dye (5)” often point directly to scientific or color-based vocabulary:
- Alternatives such as henna (5) or madder (6) may appear in similar contexts, but eosin uniquely matches both the specific red tone and scientific precision.
- The clue’s simplicity implies a straightforward definition rather than wordplay.
- With the correct length, technical relevance, and clear color association, eosin is the correct crossword solution.
