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madder1 definition

mad·der (mad′ər)

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
  3. 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 (mad′ər)

adjective

mad

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2009 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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