madder

noun

mad·​der ˈma-dər 

1

: a Eurasian herb (Rubia tinctorum of the family Rubiaceae, the madder family) with whorled leaves and small yellowish panicled flowers succeeded by dark berries

broadly : any of several related herbs (genus Rubia)

2

a

: the root of the Eurasian madder used formerly in dyeing

also : an alizarin dye prepared from it

b

: a moderate to strong red

Illustration of madder

• madder 1

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Old English mædere; akin to Old High German matara madder

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

madder

noun

mad·​der ˈmad-ər 

1

a

: a Eurasian herb with spear-shaped leaves, small yellowish flowers followed by dark berries, and red fleshy roots used to make a dye

b

: any of several plants related to the madder

2

: the root of a madder or a dye prepared from it

Medical Definition

madder

noun

mad·​der ˈmad-ər 

1

: a Eurasian herb (Rubia tinctorum of the family Rubiaceae, the madder family) with whorled leaves, clusters of small yellowish flowers, and red to black berries

broadly : any of several related herbs (genus Rubia)

2

: the root of the Eurasian madder formerly used in dyeing

also : an alizarin dye prepared from it