red
UK[red]US[red]
adj
having the colour of blood, fire, or rubies
n
the colour of blood, fire, or rubies
Etymology
The word 'red' descends directly from the Old English 'rēad', which itself has Proto-Germanic origins in the root 'raudaz'. This ancient root is also the source for related words in other Germanic languages, such as German 'rot' and Dutch 'rood'. The Proto-Germanic term can be traced further back to the Proto-Indo-European root 'h₁rewdʰ-', meaning 'red' or 'ruddy', which also gave rise to Latin 'rufus' and Greek 'eruthros'. The word's journey is a straightforward one, maintaining its core chromatic meaning from its earliest known origins to its modern English usage.
Analysis
This is a simplex word of Old English origin. It functions as a complete root.
Examples
She painted the door a bright, glossy red.
His face turned red with embarrassment.
The map uses red to indicate major highways.