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madder¹ Definition

mad·der (madər)

noun

  1. any of a genus (Rubia) of plants of the madder family, with petals fused to form a funnel-shaped corolla; esp., a perennial vine (R. tinctorum) with panicles of small, yellow flowers
    1. the red root of this vine
    2. a red dye made from this
  2. bright red; crimson

Etymology: ME mader < OE mædere, akin to ON mathra, Norw modra < IE base *modhro-, dye plant > Czech modrý, blue

adjective

designating a family (Rubiaceae, order Rubiales) of chiefly tropical, dicotyledonous herbs, shrubs, and trees, including bedstraw, bluet, coffee, and cinchona

madder² Definition

mad·der (madər)

adjective

mad

madder Usage Examples

Adjective modifier

  • wild: Dye analysis has shown that other varieties of madder were also used including probably wild madder.
madder Quotes

   Nothing can make me madder than lawyers who don't care about others.

—Reno,Janet

Browse dictionary entries near madder

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  10. mad
  1. madding
  2. maddish
  3. made
  4. made easy
  5. made over
  6. made-to-order
  7. made-up
  8. made work
  9. Madeira
  10. madeleine