1. a plant that turns toward the sun, especially the sunflower or heliotrope
Usage: archaic
2. a purple dye obtained from certain lichens
Usage: historical

Examples

• The ancient turnsole always faced east in the morning.
• Medieval scribes used turnsole to create purple ink.
• The garden featured several turnsole plants that tracked the sun’s movement.
• Turnsole dye was prized for its rich purple color.
• The botanist studied how turnsole flowers follow the sun throughout the day.