Lexic.us

Definition of Counterstain

1. Noun. A stain of contrasting color that is used when the principal stain does not show the structure clearly.

Definition of Counterstain

1. Noun. (microscopy) A stain contrasting with the principal stain in color, thus making the stained structure easier to see ¹

2. Verb. (microscopy) To stain with a counterstain ¹

¹ Source: wiktionary.com

Definition of Counterstain

1. [v -ED, -ING, -S]

Medical Definition of Counterstain

1. Rather non-specific stain used in conjunction with another histochemical reagent of greater specificity to provide contrast and reveal more of the general structure of the tissue. Light Green is used as a counterstain in the Mallory procedure, for example. This entry appears with permission from the Dictionary of Cell and Molecular Biology (11 Mar 2008)

Lexicographical Neighbors of Counterstain

Literary usage of Counterstain

Below you will find example usage of this term as found in modern and/or classical literature:

1. Medical Record by George Frederick Shrady, Thomas Lathrop Stedman (1897)
"Hence it is an ideal counterstain. Rule for basic counterstaining: The time allowed for a basic counterstain should be extended to the point that basophile ..."

2. Bacteriology by Arthur Isaac Kendall (1921)
"(b) Decolorize and counterstain simultaneously with the following ... Water 75 cc Sulphuric acid 25 cc The counterstain is allowed to act for one minute. ..."

3. Bacteria in Relation to Plant Diseases by Erwin Frink Smith (1905)
"Stain 2o to 3o seconds in carbol-fuchsin, wash in water, dry and counterstain 4 to 6 minutes in Loeffler's methylene blue, wash in water, dry, ..."

4. A Text-book of pathology by Alfred Stengel (1903)
"counterstain in an aqueous methylene-blue or ... counterstain in a weak aqueous solution of alcoholic fuchsin. ..."

5. Chemical and microscopical diagnosis by Francis Carter Wood (1909)
"The term "negative to Gram" indicates that the bacteria lose the primary color after treatment with alcohol and take up the counterstain, such as Bismarck ..."

6. Monographic Medicine by Albion Walter Hewlett, Henry Leopold Elsner (1916)
"counterstain with 2 per cent aqueous solution of Bismarck brown. 5. ... If a second dye be used as a counterstain, it will color the bacteria which are ..."

7. Laboratory directions for beginners in bacteriology: An Introduction to by Veranus Alva Moore (1905)
"If desired, a counterstain, such as alkaline methylene blue, ... A counterstain is of no value in preparations made from pure cultures or for simple ..."

8. White and Martin's Genito-urinary surgery and venereal diseases by James William White (1918)
"(e) counterstain with safranin, 20 drops of saturated watery solution to }/2 ounce of water, or 1 drop of saturated alcoholic solution of fuchsin in a ..."

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