red lead

American  

[led] / lɛd /

noun

1. an orange to red, heavy, earthy, water-insoluble, poisonous powder, Pb 3 O 4 , obtained by heating litharge in the presence of air: used chiefly as a paint pigment, in the manufacture of glass and glazes, and in storage batteries.

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red lead British  

/ lɛd /

noun

1. Also called: minium.  a bright-red poisonous insoluble oxide of lead usually obtained as a powder by heating litharge in air. It is used as a pigment in paints. Formula: Pb 3 O 4

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Etymology

Origin of red lead

late Middle English word dating back to 1400–50

Example Sentences

The dogs - one on a red lead and one on a blue - were held by two pages in red tailcoats.

From BBC • Sep. 19, 2022

One on a red lead and one on a blue, they were escorted by two pages in red tailcoats as the coffin of their beloved former owner came past.

From BBC • Sep. 19, 2022

The Ebers Papyrus offers a remedy for ‘Ear-That-Hears-Badly’: injecting olive oil, red lead, ant eggs, bat wings and goat urine into the ears.

From Time • Dec. 9, 2015

The sulfur, you see, becomes negatively charged during handling, while the red lead becomes positively charged.

From Scientific American • Jul. 23, 2013

Litharge and red lead are used in silver and gold assays, acting as solvents for silica and any metallic oxides present.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 10, Slice 5 "Fleury, Claude" to "Foraker" by Various