claret

[ klar-it ]

noun

1. the red table wine produced in the Bordeaux region of France: originally it was light red or yellowish.
2. a similar wine made elsewhere.
3. Also called claret red. a deep purplish red.
4. Slang. blood.

adjective

1. deep purplish-red.

claret

/ ˈklærət /

noun

1. a red wine, esp one from the Bordeaux district of France
2. 1. a purplish-red colour
   2. ( as adjective )

      a claret carpet

Word History and Origins

Origin of claret¹

1350–1400; Middle English < Anglo-French, Middle French claret, cleret, alteration, by suffix substitution, of Old French claré wine mixed with honey and herbs or spices < Medieval Latin clarātum, equivalent to Latin clār ( us ) clear + -ātus -ate ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of claret¹

C14: from Old French ( vin ) claret clear (wine), from Medieval Latin clārātum, from clārāre to make clear, from Latin clārus clear

Example Sentences

Claret for boys, port for men, and brandy for heroes, according to Dr. Johnson, and Hitch went for the heroic.

From The Daily Beast

Claret, now synonymous with fine red Bordeaux, derives from the Latin word for “clear” and “pale-colored.”

From The Daily Beast

Mrs. Buller cooked a braised saddle of veal and delicious it was too served with a rich gravy flavored with claret.

From The Daily Beast

And so the battle opens, and for many mortal hours, amid rounds of claret, rages over and over again.

From Project Gutenberg

It annoys me dreadfully: and yet if I take a glass of claret, I have a headache the next day!

From Project Gutenberg

The dinner was well dressed, and the Madeira and claret (the only wines produced), of the best quality.

From Project Gutenberg

He was far from a great eater, and I never noticed him drink anything at dinner but claret, which is not an intoxicating beverage.

From Project Gutenberg

But he was pleased, nevertheless; and presently he asked me, not unamiably, to punish his claret again.

From Project Gutenberg

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