Indian red

American  

noun

1. earth of a yellowish-red color, found especially in the Persian Gulf, that serves as a pigment and as a polish for gold and silver objects.

2. a pigment of that color prepared by oxidizing the salts of iron.

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Indian red British  

noun

1. a red pigment containing ferric oxide, used in paints and cosmetics and produced by oxidizing iron salts

2. a type of red soil containing ferric oxide, found in S Asia and used as a pigment and metal polish

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Etymology

Origin of Indian red

First recorded in 1745–55

Example Sentences

Two Indian red lines were soon tested: curbing support for north-eastern insurgents and protecting Hindu minorities.

From BBC • Feb. 14, 2026

As many do, he likes to store it in a matka, an Indian red clay pot that is a water cooler.

From Seattle Times • Nov. 20, 2023

True Venetian red, that is, the red of the Venetians, was probably brought from India, and similar to our modern Indian red.

From Field's Chromatography or Treatise on Colours and Pigments as Used by Artists by Salter, Thomas

Inferior ochres were formerly substituted for Indian red, which procured it a variable character; but the colour being now obtained abundantly can in general be had genuine.

From Field's Chromatography or Treatise on Colours and Pigments as Used by Artists by Salter, Thomas

Colors: picture, Prussian blue, scroll and ornamental work pale Indian red.

From History of the Postage Stamps of the United States of America by Tiffany, John Kerr