Definify.com
Webster 1913 Edition
Cudbear
Cud′bearˊ
(k?d′b?rˊ)
, Noun.
[Also
cudbeard
, corrupted fr. the name of Dr. Cuthbert
Gordon, a Scotchman, who first brought it into notice.] 1.
A powder of a violet red color, difficult to moisten with water, used for making violet or purple dye. It is prepared from certain species of lichen, especially
Lecanora tartarea
. Ure.
2.
(Bot.)
A lichen (
Lecanora tartarea
), from which the powder is obtained.