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rud·dy

(rŭdē)

adj. rud·di·er, rud·di·est

a. Having a healthy, reddish color.

b. Reddish; rosy.

2. Chiefly British Slang Used as an intensive: "You ruddy liar!" (John Galsworthy).

[Middle English rudi, from Old English rudig; see reudh- in the Appendix of Indo-European roots.]

ruddi·ly adv.

ruddi·ness n.

Indo-European & Semitic Roots Appendices

Thousands of entries in the dictionary include etymologies that trace their origins back to reconstructed proto-languages. You can obtain more information about these forms in our online appendices:

Indo-European Roots

Semitic Roots

The Indo-European appendix covers nearly half of the Indo-European roots that have left their mark on English words. A more complete treatment of Indo-European roots and the English words derived from them is available in our Dictionary of Indo-European Roots.

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