Dichroic dye and liquid crystal composition

A compound represented by general formula (1)

• wherein U is represented by general formula (2)
• wherein R1, R2, and R3 each independently represent a cyano group, an alkyl group having 1 to 20 carbon atoms, one —CH2— or two or more nonadjacent —CH2—'s present in these groups are optionally replaced with —NR6, —S—, —CS—, —S—CO SO2—, and a hydrogen atom present in the alkyl group is optionally replaced with a fluorine atom,
• wherein R6 represents a hydrogen atom or an alkyl group having 1 to 20 carbon atoms,
• Ra represents a hydrogen atom, or an alkyl group having 1 to 20 carbon atoms, one —CH2— or two or more nonadjacent —CH2—'s present in these groups are optionally replaced with —NR7—, —SO2—, and a hydrogen atom present in these groups is optionally replaced with a fluorine atom,
• wherein R7 represents a hydrogen atom or an alkyl group having 1 to 20 carbon atoms,
• Xa represents —S—,
• A1, A2 and Aa each represent an optionally substituted hydrocarbon ring or heterocyclic ring having 3 to 16 carbon atoms,
• Z1, Z2 and Za each represent a single bond,
• i, and j each represent an integer of 2 to 4,
• a represent an integer of 0,
• pluralities of A1s and A2s may be the same or different.