Definition

1. Noun:
   • A red iron ore, specifically a form of red ochre, used historically as a pigment for dyeing and marking.

Usage

• Noun: "Reddle" refers to the substance itself. It is typically used in contexts discussing traditional crafts, historical practices, or geology.
  • The shepherd used reddle to mark his sheep.
  • Reddle, a type of iron oxide, was a common pigment in early paints.

Advanced Usage

• Historical/Archaic Context: The word "reddle" is now largely archaic or dialectal, primarily found in historical texts or descriptions of old rural practices (e.g., marking livestock). The more common modern term is red ochre or ruddle.

Variants and Related Words

• Ruddle (noun/verb): A direct synonym for "reddle," meaning the same red ochre pigment or the act of marking with it.
• Red Ochre (noun): The more general and contemporary term for the natural clay pigment composed of iron oxide, of which reddle is a specific type.

Synonyms

• Ruddle
• Red ochre

Notes on Different Meanings

• "Reddle" has no other distinct meanings in modern English. It functions solely as a noun for this specific pigment. The related verb form ("to reddle") means to mark or color with this substance, but this usage is extremely rare.

Noun

1. a red iron ore used in dyeing and marking