red

red [red]

n.

[ME < OE read, akin to Ger rot, ON rauthr < IE base * reudh-, red > Gr erythros, L ruber, rufus, red, rubere, to be red, OIr rūad, Lith raũdas, red]

1. a primary color, or any of a spread of colors at the lower end of the visible spectrum, varying in hue from that of blood to pale rose or pink: see COLOR

2. a pigment producing this color

3. [from the red flag symbolizing revolutionary socialism] [often R-] Informal a political radical or revolutionary; esp., a communist

4. anything colored red, as a red space on a roulette wheel, a red checker piece, or red clothing

5. short for RED WINE

6. Slang a red capsule of secobarbital, a barbiturate usually used in pl.

adj.

redder, reddest

1. having or being of the color red or any of its hues

2. having red hair

3.

a) having a reddish or coppery skin

b) florid, flushed, or blushing

c) bloodshot

d) sore; inflamed

4.

a) [often R-] politically radical or revolutionary; esp., communist

b) [R-] of the Soviet Union

5. of or designating RED WINE

——————

☆ in the red [from the practice of entering negative amounts in account books with red ink]

in debt or losing money

——————

☆ into the red

into debt or an unprofitable financial condition

——————

see red

Informal to be or become angry

redly

adv.