1 oil yellow | Definition of oil yellow

oil yellow

noun

Definition of oil yellow

1 often capitalized O&Y

a : any of several oil-soluble yellow dyes
b or oil yellow II : a carcinogenic azo dye C6H5N2C6H4N(CH3)2 formerly used in coloring butter and oils; para-dimethyl-aminoazobenzene

called also butter yellow, methyl yellow

2 : a moderate greenish yellow that is greener and duller than citron yellow and deeper than linden green