COUNTERSTAIN Definition & Meaning

counterstain

[koun-ter-steyn, koun-ter-steyn]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

a second stain of a different color applied to a microscopic specimen and used to color and contrast those parts not retaining the first stain.

counterstain

/ ˈ�첹ʊ�Գ�əˌ��ٱ�ɪ�� /

to apply two or more stains in sequence to (a specimen to be examined), each of which colours a different tissue
(tr; usually passive) to apply (one of a series of stains) to a specimen to be examined
haematoxylin is counterstained with eosin

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First recorded in 1890–95; counter- + stain

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Examples have not been reviewed.

Counterstain in eosin, 1 per cent. aqueous solution.

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Counterstain very lightly with aqueous solution of Neutral Red.

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Counterstain with Kuehne's carbolic methylene-blue for one or two minutes.

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Counterstain in methylene blue, aqueous solution thirty seconds.

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