red devil

[ red dev-uhl ]

noun

1. Also called red dev·il cich·lid [red, , dev, -, uh, l , sik, -lid]. any of various cichlid fishes, especially Amphilophus labiatus and A. citrinellus, two closely related Central American species common in the aquarium trade and noted for their aggressiveness.
2. Slang. red ¹( def 6 ).
3. Also called red death [red, , deth],. Slang. doxorubicin ( def ).

Word History and Origins

Origin of red devil¹

First recorded in 1950–55 red devil fordef 2 and 2000–05 red devil fordef 1

Example Sentences

The red devil, if observed by some old, wise person, would have been said to be in the act of practicing his art.

From Project Gutenberg

The very worst page in this red—red devil—I'm glad I've written it at last—of a book is the fifth.

From Project Gutenberg

Your shoulders are flushed velvet, your cheeks are peaches under cream, your eyes are blue absinthe and your mouth a red devil.

From Project Gutenberg

I who tell it you was one time attack on this very river by three red devil in ze canoe.

From Project Gutenberg

But before the red devil could discharge another, Ben Painter was up with him, and the knife he had drawn was buried in his heart.

From Project Gutenberg