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The Collaborative International Dictionary
cudbeard

Cudbear \Cud"bear`\ (k?d"b?r`), n. [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.) A lichen ( Lecanora tartarea), from which the powder is obtained.