Magenta \Ma*gen"ta\, n. (Chem.) An aniline dye obtained as an amorphous substance having a green bronze surface color, which dissolves to a shade of red; also, the color; -- so called from Magenta, in Italy, in allusion to the battle fought there about the time the dye was discovered. Called also fuchsine, rose["i]ne, etc.

Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)