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madder - What does it mean?

Definition of 'madder'

English

(wikipedia)

Etymology 1

(etyl) , from Germanic, perhaps from an Indo-European base meaning "blue." Cognate with (etyl) madra.

Noun

(en-noun)
  • A herbaceous plant, , native to Asia, cultivated for a red-purple dye obtained from the root.
  • The root of the plant, used as a medicine or a dye.
  • A dye made from the plant.
  • A deep reddish purple colour, like that of the dye.

    • Synonyms

    * (Rubia tinctorum) common madder, dyer's madder
    Derived terms
    * (field madder) * Indian madder * madder yellow * rose madder * wild madder

    Adjective

    (-)
  • Of a deep reddish purple colour, like that of the dye.

    • Related terms

    * alizarin

    See also

    * bedstraw * bluets * genipap *

    Etymology 2

    Inflected forms.

    Adjective

    (head)
  • (mad)

    • Etymology 3

    From mead

    Noun

    (en-noun)
  • * c.1720 Jonathan Swift (translation from the Irish) " O'Rourke's Feast":
    • Usequebaugh to our feast - In pails was brought up,
    A hundred at least, - And the madder our cup,
    O there is the sport!

    References

    * Tenison, Thomas Joseph (1860) "On Methers and Other Ancient Drinking Vessels" Journal of the Kilkenny and South-East of Ireland Archaeological Society Vol.3NS No.1 p.54

    Anagrams

    *

    Similar to 'madder'

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