madder

noun

1. (countable, uncountable)A herbaceous plant, Rubia tinctorum, native to Asia, cultivated for a red-purple dye (alizarin) obtained from the root.
2. (countable, uncountable)The root of the plant, used as a medicine or a dye.
3. (countable, uncountable)A dye made from the plant.

   “Their armour was stained with madder, in such wise that they seemed bathed in blood.”

4. (countable, uncountable)A deep reddish colour, like that of the dye.

   “Her big head has coloured to a dim and dreadful madder.”

5. (alt-of, obsolete)Obsolete form of mether.

   “Usequebaugh to our feast - In pails was brought up, A hundred at least, - And the madder our cup, O there is the sport! […]”

adj

1. (not-comparable)Of a deep reddish purple colour, like that of the dye.
2. (comparative, form-of)comparative form of mad: more mad

verb

1. (rare, transitive)To dye with madder.
2. (alt-of, pronunciation-spelling)Eye dialect spelling of matter.