pigeon blood

American  

Or pigeon's blood

noun

1. dark red.

---

Etymology

Origin of pigeon blood

First recorded in 1890–95

Example Sentences

As casually as though he were cleaning grains of rice, he sifted through his fingers Colombian emeralds, pigeon blood rubies, old-mind diamonds, tourmalines, citrines, labradorite or pearls.

From New York Times • Sep. 11, 2012

Perhaps Nature, by her slower methods, using the faint traces of radio-active material in the rocks, reddens the corundum of Burmah at her leisure, and finally arrives at the much sought "pigeon blood" color.

From A Text-Book of Precious Stones for Jewelers and the Gem-Loving Public by Wade, Frank Bertram

He had given her a ruby bar, had the clasp of her pearl necklace set with rabies, and last Christmas had presented her with a small but fine "pigeon blood" encircled with diamonds.

From The Avalanche by Atherton, Gertrude Franklin Horn

What if white paper were really newer than pigeon blood?

From The Custom of the Country by Wharton, Edith

Those of slightly lighter tint than pigeon blood are sometimes referred to as of "French color," from the fact that they are preferred by French connoisseurs.

From A Text-Book of Precious Stones for Jewelers and the Gem-Loving Public by Wade, Frank Bertram