ruddle

American  

[ruhd-l] / ˈrʌd l /

noun

1. a red variety of ocher, used for marking sheep, coloring, etc.

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verb (used with object)

ruddled, ruddling

1. to mark or color with ruddle.

ruddle British  

/ ˈrʌdəl /

noun

1. a red ochre, used esp to mark sheep

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verb

1. (tr) to mark (sheep) with ruddle

Other Word Forms

• unruddled
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of ruddle

1530–40; dial. rud ( see rudd) + -le

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

ruddle ruddled ruddling

Page 22, line 20. rubrica fabrili: in English ruddle or reddle.

From On the magnet, magnetick bodies also, and on the great magnet the earth a new physiology, demonstrated by many arguments & experiments by Gilbert, William

They revolted in 363-362, but were reduced again, and the Athenians established a monopoly of the ruddle, or red earth, which was one of the most valuable products of the island.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 5, Slice 6 "Celtes, Konrad" to "Ceramics" by Various

Jud turn’d rahnd an gurned at th’ frunt o’ th’ show wi’ his faace aw ruddle.

From English Dialects From the Eighth Century to the Present Day by Skeat, Walter W. (Walter William)

He rubbed the edge with ruddle, and, placing the millstaff on the stone, turned it about on its shorter axis: where the ruddle left its red mark more pecking would be required.

From Round About a Great Estate by Jefferies, Richard

For my share of disguising, I now rubbed together some ruddle and dry soil, and the mixture gave a necessary touch of coarseness to her hands.

From The Yeoman Adventurer by Gough, George W.

A faint tartness, the somewhat musty odour of old country houses, ascended from the tiled and ruddled floor that glistened like a mirror.

From Abbe Mouret's Transgression by Zola, Émile

"Darn the ruddled vixens who come a-drabbing into my mews, with a hussy tew hail you afoot and a baggage tew boot on the boot—" "Keep quiet!"

From Cardigan by Chambers, Robert W. (Robert William)

I am apt to believe, that they took the first hint of their dress from a fair sheep newly ruddled.

From Letters of the Right Honourable Lady M—y W—y M—e Written during Her Travels in Europe, Asia and Africa to Persons of Distinction, Men of Letters, &c. in Different Parts of Europe by Montagu, Mary Wortley, Lady

"I know you're a ruddled old hunks," said Mount, carelessly.

From Cardigan by Chambers, Robert W. (Robert William)

The pock-marked rascal is lying quiet on the ruddled bricks at the foot of the stairs.

From Despair's Last Journey by Murray, David Christie

Three hundred pistoles!" he echoed; "for ruddling the blades and risking the lives of nine of the finest swordsmen in Europe?

From The Duke's Motto A Melodrama by McCarthy, Justin H. (Justin Huntly)