Turkey red

American  

noun

1. a bright red produced in fabrics by madder, alizarin, or synthetic dyes.

2. cotton cloth of this color.

3. Adrianople red.

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Turkey red British  

noun

1. 1. a moderate or bright red colour

   2. ( as adjective )

      a Turkey-red fabric

2. a cotton fabric of a bright red colour

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Etymology

Origin of Turkey red

First recorded in 1780–90

Example Sentences

They dress up in expensive, full-skirted costumes, often rich purple or Turkey red; at fiestas they wear necklaces made from old U.S. five-to 50-dollar gold pieces.

From Time Magazine Archive

Alizarine Red.—It is possible to dye a red with alizarine on cotton which, while being a good colour, is not quite so fast to washing, etc., as a Turkey red.

From The Dyeing of Cotton Fabrics A Practical Handbook for the Dyer and Student by Beech, Franklin

After she was all dressed, she flew to the nursery for a little confab with Fr�ulein, who was working away on the Turkey red.

From Patty's Social Season by Wells, Carolyn

The visible under-garment is a long, "shaped" dress of Turkey red.

From Journeys in Persia and Kurdistan, Volume I (of 2) Including a Summer in the Upper Karun Region and a Visit to the Nestorian Rayahs by Bird, Isabella L. (Isabella Lucy)

The floor was of glazed white tiles, and the single window had curtains of Turkey red.

From Casa Braccio, Volumes 1 and 2 by Castaigne, J. André