CUDBEAR

orchil, archil, cudbear

(noun) a purplish dye obtained from orchil lichens

Source: WordNet® 3.1

Etymology

Corrupted from the name of Dr. Cuthbert Gordon, a Scotsman, who patented the process of manufacture.

Noun

cudbear (countable and uncountable, plural cudbears)

A violet-red powder, difficult to moisten with water, prepared from certain lichens, especially Ochrolechia tartarea (syn. Lecanora tartarea), and used for making violet or purple dye.

A rim lichen, crabseye lichen (Ochrolechia tartarea, syn. Lecanora tartarea), from which the powder is obtained.

Synonyms

• (lichen): cudweed

Source: Wiktionary

Cud"bear` (kd"br`), n Etym: [Also cudbeard, corrupted fr. the name of Dr. Cuthbert Gordon, a Scotchman, who first brought it into notice.]

1. A powder of a violet red color, difficult to moisten with water, used for making violet or purple dye. It is prepared from certain species of lichen, especially Lecanora tartarea. Ure.

2. (Bot.)

Definition: A lichen (Lecanora tartarea), from which the powder is obtained.

Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition