red lead

[led]

noun

1. an orange to red, heavy, earthy, water-insoluble, poisonous powder, Pb 3 O 4 , obtained by heating litharge in the presence of air: used chiefly as a paint pigment, in the manufacture of glass and glazes, and in storage batteries.

red lead

/ lɛd /

noun

1. Also called: minium. a bright-red poisonous insoluble oxide of lead usually obtained as a powder by heating litharge in air. It is used as a pigment in paints. Formula: Pb 3 O 4

Word History and Origins

Origin of red lead¹

late Middle English word dating back to 1400–50