woad

[ wohd ]

noun

1. a European plant, Isatis tinctoria, of the mustard family, formerly cultivated for a blue dye extracted from its leaves.
2. the dye extracted from this plant.

woad

/ wəʊd /

noun

1. See dyer's rocket, dyer's-weed
   a European plant, Isatis tinctoria, formerly cultivated for its leaves, which yield a blue dye: family Brassicaceae (crucifers) See also dyer's-weed dyer's rocket
2. the dye obtained from this plant, used esp by the ancient Britons, as a body dye

Word History and Origins

Origin of woad¹

before 1000; Middle English wode, Old English wād (cognate with German Waid ); akin to French guède, Medieval Latin waizda < Germanic

Word History and Origins

Origin of woad¹

Old English wād; related to Old High German weit; Middle Dutch wēd, Latin vitrum

Example Sentences

Weld is a totally distinct word from woad, but most dictionaries confound them.

From Project Gutenberg

On this site the flint knappers are still at work, using practically the same rude tool as their primitive woad-painted ancestors.

From Project Gutenberg

There is another ore of manganese, called black woad, which inflames spontaneously when mixed with oil.

From Project Gutenberg

The ancient Briton must have vied with his neighbor in different designs with the woad plant.

From Project Gutenberg

No dressmaker's or tailor's bills; or at the least, very small ones; for "woad" could not ruin us very much.

From Project Gutenberg