■ adjective ( ~der , ~dest )
1》 of a colour at the end of the spectrum next to orange and opposite violet, as of blood or rubies.
↘(of hair or fur) of a ~dish-brown colour.
↘(of a person's face) ~ due to embarrassment, anger, or heat.
↘ dated or offensive (of a people) having ~dish skin.
2》 (of wine) made from dark grapes and colou~ by their skins.
3》 of or denoting the suits hearts and diamonds in a pack of cards.
4》 denoting a ~ light or flag used as a signal to stop.
↘denoting something forbidden, dangerous, or urgent.
5》 (of a ski run) of the second-highest level of difficulty.
6》 informal, chiefly derogatory communist or socialist.
7》 archaic or literary involving bloodshed or violence.
■ noun
1》 ~ colour or pigment.
2》 informal, chiefly derogatory a communist or socialist.
3》 ( the ~ ) the situation of having spent more than is in one's bank account.
Phrases
the ~ planet Mars.
see ~ informal become very angry suddenly.
Derivatives
~dish adjective
~dy adjective
~ly adverb
~ness noun
Origin
OE rēad , of Gmc origin.