madder
|mad-der|
B2
🇺🇸
/ˈmædər/
🇬🇧
/ˈmædə/
red dye plant
Etymology
Etymology Information
'madder' originates from Old English, specifically the word 'mædere', where 'mædere' referred to the plant used for dyeing.
Historical Evolution
'mædere' transformed into the Middle English word 'madre', and eventually became the modern English word 'madder'.
Meaning Changes
Initially, it referred specifically to the plant used for dyeing, but over time it also became a comparative form of 'mad'.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
a plant of the genus Rubia, especially Rubia tinctorum, whose root is used to produce a red dye.
The madder plant was historically used to dye fabrics red.
Synonyms
Idioms
Last updated: 2025/07/11 16:13