madder
1[ mad-er ]
/ ˈmæd ər /
noun
any plant of the genus Rubia, especially the climbing R. tinctorum, of Europe, having open clusters of small, yellowish flowers.Compare madder family.
the root of this plant, formerly used in dyeing.
the dye or coloring matter itself.
a color produced by such a dye.
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Origin of madder
1before 1000; Middle English mad(d)er,Old English mæd(e)re; cognate with Old Norse mathra,Old High German matara
Words nearby madder
madcap, mad cow disease, MADD, madden, maddening, madder, madder family, madder lake, madding, maddish, mad-dog
Definition for madder (2 of 2)
WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH madder
madder , matterDictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020
Example sentences from the Web for madder
British Dictionary definitions for madder (1 of 2)
madder1
/ (ˈmædə) /
noun
any of several rubiaceous plants of the genus Rubia, esp the Eurasian R. tinctoria, which has small yellow flowers and a red fleshy root
the root of this plant
a dark reddish-purple dye formerly obtained by fermentation of this root; identical to the synthetic dye, alizarin
a red lake obtained from alizarin and an inorganic base; used as a pigment in inks and paints
Word Origin for madder
Old English mædere; related to Middle Dutch mēde, Old Norse mathra
British Dictionary definitions for madder (2 of 2)
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
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