cudbear

[kuhd-bair]

noun

1. a violet coloring matter obtained from various lichens, especially Lecanora tartarea.

cudbear

/ ˈkʌdˌbɛə /

noun

1. another name for orchil

Word History and Origins

Origin of cudbear¹

First recorded in 1760–70; coinage by Dr. Cuthbert Gordon, 18th-century Scottish chemist, based on his own name

Word History and Origins

Origin of cudbear¹

C18: whimsical alteration of Cuthbert, the Christian name of Dr Gordon, 18th-century Scot who patented the dye. See _cuddy ²

Example Sentences

The lichens thus treated acquire gradually a deep purple colour, and form the products called "cudbear."

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Various species of Lecanora, particularly L. tartarea, known as cudbear, are used in dyeing woollen yarn.

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Purple:—For each pound of goods, two ounces of cudbear; rinse the goods well in soap-suds, then dissolve cudbear in hot suds—not quite boiling, and soak the goods until of required color.

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If a wine colored with archil and one colored with cudbear are treated treated according to Romei's method, the former gives, with basic lead acetate, a blue, and the latter a fine violet precipitate.

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Specimens of varieties of the lichens used in the manufacture of cudbear, orchil and litmus, and of the substance obtained, were also shown in the British department, which were awarded prize medals.

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