Vandyke brown

American  

noun

1. a medium brown color.

2. any of several dark-brown pigments consisting of iron oxide mixed with lampblack or similar materials.

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Vandyke brown British  

noun

1. 1. a moderate brown colour

   2. ( as adjective )

      a Vandyke-brown suit

2. any of various brown pigments, usually consisting of a mixture of ferric oxide and lampblack

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Etymology

Origin of Vandyke brown

First recorded in 1840–50

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

Vandyke brown

She had well-formed eyebrows which, had her portrait been painted, would probably have been done in Prout's or Vandyke brown.

From The Woodlanders by Hardy, Thomas

But not a word did he utter, for Helen touched her forehead significantly, and said in a low tone,— "I am an artist; let me recommend Vandyke brown, which is not affected by heat."

From Kitty's Class Day and Other Stories by Alcott, Louisa May

He was an attenuated and rather effeminate person, exquisitely dressed and powdered, and not without a suspicion of rouge upon his hollow cheeks or of Vandyke brown upon his delicately penciled eyebrows.

From Library of the World's Best Literature, Ancient and Modern — Volume 5 by Mabie, Hamilton Wright

Some cheap beads and coloured handkerchiefs, and a faint wash of Vandyke brown over face and hands, gave the finishing touches.

From The Madcap of the School by Salmon, Balliol

If I were Chancellor of the Exchequer I would lay a tax of twenty shillings a cake on all colors except black, Prussian blue, Vandyke brown, and Chinese white, which I would leave for students.

From The Elements of Drawing In Three Letters to Beginners by Ruskin, John