Indian red

American  

noun

1. earth of a yellowish-red color, found especially in the Persian Gulf, that serves as a pigment and as a polish for gold and silver objects.

2. a pigment of that color prepared by oxidizing the salts of iron.

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Indian red British  

noun

1. a red pigment containing ferric oxide, used in paints and cosmetics and produced by oxidizing iron salts

2. a type of red soil containing ferric oxide, found in S Asia and used as a pigment and metal polish

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Etymology

Origin of Indian red

First recorded in 1745–55

Example Sentences

Two Indian red lines were soon tested: curbing support for north-eastern insurgents and protecting Hindu minorities.

From BBC • Feb. 14, 2026

As many do, he likes to store it in a matka, an Indian red clay pot that is a water cooler.

From Seattle Times • Nov. 20, 2023

A quantity of the strongest Indian red pepper was lastly added; and as the ingredients boiled, more of the juice of the wourali was poured in as was required.

From On the Banks of the Amazon by Groome, William H. C.

Possessing the richness and depth of Indian red, it is distinguished by the russet-orange hue of light red.

From Field's Chromatography or Treatise on Colours and Pigments as Used by Artists by Salter, Thomas

Kitty was a very charming almoner, with her slight, graceful little figure and mignonne face set off by a great deal of brown fur and a dress of deep Indian red.

From Under False Pretences A Novel by Sergeant, Adeline