any of several rubiaceous plants of the genus Rubia, esp the Eurasian R. tinctoria, which has small yellow flowers and a red fleshy root
2.
the root of this plant
3.
a dark reddish-purple dye formerly obtained by fermentation of this root; identical to the synthetic dye, alizarin
4.
a red lake obtained from alizarin and an inorganic base; used as a pigment in inks and paints
Word origin
Old English mædere; related to Middle Dutch mēde, Old Norse mathra
madder in British English2
(ˈmædə)
adjective
the comparative of mad
madder in American English1
(ˈmædər)
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
2.
a.
the red root of this vine
b.
a red dye made from this
see also alizarin
3.
bright red; crimson
adjective
4.
designating a family (Rubiaceae, order Rubiales) of chiefly tropical, dicotyledonous herbs, shrubs, and trees, including bedstraw, bluet, coffee, and cinchona
Word origin
ME mader < OE mædere, akin to ON mathra, Norw modra < IE base *modhro-, dye plant > Czech modrý, blue