noun

madder

MAD-er/mˈædɝ/

A plant cultivated for the red pigment in its roots.

The uprooted madder has reddish roots used to make the dye beside it.

An uprooted madder plant with recognizable whorled leaves and reddish roots, beside chopped roots and a small bowl of brick-red dye with a partially dyed cloth strip.

Etymology

Madder continues an Old English name for the dye-producing plant. The plant's name also names the red coloring obtained from its roots, linking the botanical and dye senses.

In context

Crowing Hen0:18

I don't really know what I'm doing when it comes to dyeing, but this is madder and no matter what happens, I know I'm going to get some pretty colours.

Dyeing with freshly harvested madder root? | Rubia tinctorum

More examples

We harvest the madder roots in the fall.
Madder grows along the sunny edge of the garden.
Dyers use madder to turn wool a deep red.

Forms

madder · madders