red devil

[red dev-uhl]

noun

1. Also called red devil cichlid. any of various cichlid fishes, especially Amphilophus labiatus and A. citrinellus, two closely related Central American species common in the aquarium trade and noted for their aggressiveness.

2. Slang.,  red.

3. Also called red evil. Also called red death. Slang.,  doxorubicin.

Word History and Origins

Origin of red devil¹

First recorded in 1950–55 red devil for def. 2 and 2000–05 red devil for def. 1

Example Sentences

One avatar is a chocolate princess, born in a cocoa tree; another has red devil horns.

From New York Times

“Besides ‘red horse bread,’ Southerners had several of other names for what we now call hushpuppies, like ‘wampus’ in Florida, and ‘red devils’ and ‘three finger bread’ in Georgia.”

From Washington Post

It’s a large red ballooning figure that looks like a swaying red devil, and it’s powered by an extremely loud machine which keeps it constantly in motion.

From Seattle Times

While the little angel perched on your right shoulder chirps, “The perfect present,” that impish red devil on your left will snakily hiss, “Keep it yourself. You know you want to.”

From Washington Post

Vagos members often can be seen wearing a large green patch with a red devil emblazoned at the center atop a winged tire.

From Los Angeles Times