madder

¹

[ mad-er ]

noun

1. any plant of the genus Rubia, especially the climbing R. tinctorum, of Europe, having open clusters of small, yellowish flowers. Compare madder family.
2. the root of this plant, formerly used in dyeing.
3. the dye or coloring matter itself.
4. a color produced by such a dye.

madder

²

[ mad-er ]

adjective

1. comparative of mad.

madder

¹

/ ˈmædə /

adjective

1. the comparative of mad

madder

²

/ ˈmædə /

noun

1. 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 History and Origins

Origin of madder¹

before 1000; Middle English mad ( d ) er, Old English mæd ( e ) re; cognate with Old Norse mathra, Old High German matara

Word History and Origins

Origin of madder¹

Old English mædere; related to Middle Dutch mēde, Old Norse mathra

Example Sentences

“The more I looked at it, the madder I got,” he recalled.

From Seattle Times

Depending on how things go, the situation might get even madder.

From Los Angeles Times

In the mad rush to get on the plane first, things are getting even madder.

From Seattle Times

She grows a dye garden of rarer plants like indigo and madder, along with marigold flowers, sunflower seeds and mushrooms.

From Seattle Times

And I wasn’t sure why, but that made me madder than not shaking Hugo’s hand.

From Literature