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woad

woad

9.9
A yellow-flowered plant once grown for a blue dye
  • noun
  • /woʊd/
  • Specialized
translation icon : morado
  • The gardener explained that woad is not only known for its beautiful yellow flowers but also for producing a blue dye.

Examples

  • In ancient times, British warriors used woad to paint their bodies for battle, creating a striking blue color.

  • Farmers used to cultivate woad in their fields because of its leaves, which were valuable for dyeing fabrics.

  • Didn't ancient British warriors sometimes wear nothing more than woad?

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Synonyms

Isatis tinctoria
vswoad
  • Specialized
9.9

A European plant that grows for two years and whose leaves make blue dye

is the common name rather than the scientific name
dyer's woad
vswoad
  • UK
9.9

A European plant grown for blue dye from its leaves

is the same plant but expressed as the general common term

Compounds

9.9

A European plant grown for blue dye from its leaves

Surface Forms

woad singular
woads plural

Etymology

Woad comes from Old English wād, the name for a plant once grown for its leaves to make a deep 'blue' colour. So woad today often means that plant which people used to make blue dye.