staining

Thân thiện

A scientist applies a blue staining solution to a tissue sample.

Definition

1. Noun:
   • The act of making a dirty mark or discoloration: The process of accidentally or deliberately causing a spot, smear, or patch of different color on a surface.
   • (Biology/Histology) A technique for coloring specimens: The process of applying dyes or pigments to biological tissues, cells, or microorganisms to make specific structures visible under a microscope for study.

Usage Examples

• Noun (General Act):
  • The staining of the white tablecloth with red wine was immediate.
  • Careful handling is required to prevent the staining of the delicate fabric.
• Noun (Scientific Technique):
  • Gram staining is a fundamental technique used to classify bacteria.
  • The pathologist examined the tissue after staining to look for abnormal cells.

Advanced Usage

• "Differential staining": A staining method that uses multiple dyes to distinguish between different types of microorganisms or cellular structures.
  • Differential staining allows microbiologists to tell Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria apart.
• "Vital staining": A technique that stains living cells without immediately killing them.
  • Vital staining is used to observe processes within living cells.

Variants and Related Words

• Stain (verb/noun): To cause a stain; a discolored spot. (e.g., "The ink will your fingers." / "There is a coffee on the report.")
• Stainable (adjective): Capable of being stained, especially by dyes.
  • The cell wall structure makes the bacteria stainable with crystal violet.
• Stainer (noun): A person or device that applies stains.
  • The laboratory technician worked as a tissue stainer.

Synonyms

• Soiling: Making something dirty.
• Discoloration: The process of changing or losing color.
• Coloration (Scientific): The process of adding color, especially in biology.

Related Phrases

• Staining solution: The liquid containing the dye used in the staining process.
  • Immerse the slide in the staining solution for 60 seconds.
• Staining protocol: The standardized set of steps for a particular staining method.
  • The experiment failed due to a deviation from the established staining protocol.

Related Idioms

• A stain on one's character/reputation: A mark of disgrace or dishonor.
  • The accusations, though false, left a stain on his reputation. (Note: This idiom uses the core noun "stain," not the gerund "staining.")

Học thuật

Noun

1. the act of spotting or staining something
2. (histology) the use of a dye to color specimens for microscopic study

Từ đồng nghĩa

• spotting
• maculation