scarlet
UK[ˈskɑːlət]US[ˈskɑːrlət]
n
a very bright red color
adj
of a very bright red color
Etymology
the word 'scarlet' entered english in the late 13th century via old french 'escarlate'. the french term derived from medieval latin 'scarlatum', which itself was borrowed from persian 'saqirlat', referring to a type of rich, brightly colored cloth. originally, the term denoted the expensive fabric, often dyed with kermes, a crimson dye from insects, before its meaning narrowed to specifically describe the vivid red color of the cloth itself. this journey from a textile name to a color term illustrates a common semantic shift where the attribute of an object becomes its primary definition.
Analysis
the word is a simplex loanword. its components do not correspond to productive morphemes in modern english.
Examples
she was dressed in a beautiful gown of scarlet.
the maple leaves turned a brilliant scarlet in the autumn.
his face flushed scarlet with embarrassment.