Scarlet

This dye was obtained by the Egyptians from the shell-fish Carthamus tinctorius; and by the Hebrews from the Coccus ilicis, an insect which infests oak trees, called kermes by the Arabians. This colour was early known (Gen. 38:28). It was one of the colours of the ephod (Ex. 28:6), the girdle (8), and the breastplate (15) of the high priest. It is also mentioned in various other connections (Josh. 2:18; 2 Sam. 1:24; Lam. 4:5; Nahum 2:3). A scarlet robe was in mockery placed on our Lord (Matt. 27:28; Luke 23:11). “Sins as scarlet” (Isa. 1:18), i.e., as scarlet robes “glaring and habitual.” Scarlet and crimson were the firmest of dyes, and thus not easily washed out.

[Colors]

SCAR'LET. Gen 38:28. See Colors.

SCAR'LET. Gen 38:28. See Colors.

Part of speech: noun (n.)

1. A deep bright red tinged with orange or yellow, -- of many tints and shades; a vivid or bright red color.

2. Cloth of a scarlet color. All her household are clothed with scarlet. Prov. xxxi. 21.

Part of speech: verb (v.)

To dye or tinge with scarlet. [R.] The ashy paleness of my cheek Is scarleted in ruddy flakes of wrath. Ford.

Part of speech: adjective (a.)

Of the color called scarlet; as, a scarlet cloth or thread. Scarlet admiral (Zoöl.), the red admiral. See under Red. -- Scarlet bean (Bot.), a kind of bean (Phaseolus multiflorus) having scarlet flowers; scarlet runner. -- Scarlet fever (Med.), a contagious febrile disease characterized by inflammation of the fauces and a scarlet rash, appearing usually on the second day, and ending in desquamation about the sixth or seventh day. -- Scarlet fish (Zoöl.), the telescope fish; -- so called from its red color. See under Telescope. -- Scarlet ibis (Zoöl.) See under Ibis. -- Scarlet maple (Bot.), the red maple. See Maple. -- Scarlet mite (Zoöl.), any one of numerous species of bright red carnivorous mites found among grass and moss, especially Thombidium holosericeum and allied species. The young are parasitic upon spiders and insects. -- Scarlet oak (Bot.), a species of oak (Quercus coccinea) of the United States; -- so called from the scarlet color of its leaves in autumn. -- Scarlet runner (Bot.), the scarlet bean. -- Scarlet tanager. (Zoöl.) See under Tanager.