wyrmread
, worm + red.
Searchable Lemmata: wyrmread (OE).
Alternate Forms: wurmread, wyrmreada, wyrmreadne.
Definitions and Defining Citations:
1(adj.)
Dye;
having a deep red colour of crimson or scarlet. The term is used in Old English translation of the Old Testament. In Gen 38.27 and Gen 38.30, the phrase 'wyrmreadne þread' is used to translate 'coccinum.' In Josh 7.20, the phrase 'wymreadne basing' is used to translate 'pallium coccineum'.(circa 1000)
1. On þare kennigctide ætywdon twegen getwisan on hyre innoþe & on cylda forðcyme; Se oðer ræhte forð his hand & seo byðerþinenu wrað wyrmreadne þræd þar on & cwæð.
[DOE Gen (Ker) (0059 (38.27))]
3. He andette ða Iosue ætforan him eallum, & cwæð: Soðlice ic syngode; Ic geseah betwux ðam herereafum wyrmreadne basingc & twahund entsa hwites seolfres & sumne gyldene dalc on fiftigum entsum, & ic atbræd ðæt & behydde on eorðan ætforan minum getelde.
[DOE Josh (0084 (7.20))]
Sex: Male, Female Ceremonial: No
Body Parts:
Etymological Evidence:
Definite, compound of Old English wyrm 'serpent, worm', but also (from at least before 900) 'creeping, crawling animal; insect', and therefore here most probably referrring to the various species of insects from which red dye was produced, such as the Crimson Worm (see kermes, coccin) + read 'red'. The semantic range of the first element parallels vermeil (q.v.) < L. vermiculus < vermis 'worm'.
Modern English worm red (see OED worm n.) is a coining of the nineteenth century.
WF: Compound
Etym Cog:
References:
