crimson

[krim-zuh n, -suh n] /ˈkrɪm zən, -sən/
adjective
1.
deep purplish-red.
2.
sanguinary.
noun
3.
a crimson color, pigment, or dye.
verb (used with object), verb (used without object)
4.
to make or become crimson.
Origin
1375-1425; late Middle English < Medieval Latin cremesīnus ≪ Arabic qirmizī (qirmiz kermes + -ī suffix of appurtenance) + Latin -īnus -ine1; see cramoisy
Related forms
crimsonly, adverb
crimsonness, noun
Examples from the web for crimson
  • The blood of its unsung martyrs will flow across the land leaving a crimson swathe, from border to border.
  • The pathogen makes its presence known to humans through crimson pustules on the plant's stems and leaves.
  • The crane has light to dark blue-gray plumage and a crimson cap at the back of its crown.
  • It's a subtler palette than crimson and gold, but it's equally irresistible.
  • crimson plastic veins snaked through the interior of the translucent skulls, but there was nothing at the base.
  • And in your wake hangs a crimson dust so fine it may never filter back to the ground.
  • These droplets can be swept across the globe, painting brilliant crimson twilights wherever they go.
  • In stark contrast to those deep crimson cephalopods, mine was chalk white on landing.
  • Typical colors range from deep crimson to pale pink.
  • Huge, pure white double flowers with vivid crimson flecks make a showy bouquet in a white ceramic vase.
British Dictionary definitions for crimson

crimson

/ˈkrɪmzən/
noun
1.
  1. a deep or vivid red colour
  2. (as adjective): a crimson rose
verb
2.
to make or become crimson
3.
(intransitive) to blush
Derived Forms
crimsonness, noun
Word Origin
C14: from Old Spanish cremesin, from Arabic qirmizi red of the kermes, from qirmizkermes
Word Origin and History for crimson
n.

early 15c., "deep red color," from Old Spanish cremesin "of or belonging to the kermes" (the shield-louse insects from which a deep red dye was obtained), from Medieval Latin cremesinus (see kermes). For similar transfer of the dye word to generic use for "red," cf. Old Church Slavonic čruminu, Russian čermnyj "red," from the same source.

v.

c.1600, from crimson (n.). Related: Crimsoned; crimsoning.

crimson in the Bible

See COLOUR.