Definition: scarlet

Source: WordNet (r) 1.7

scarlet
     adj : having any of numerous bright or strong colors reminiscent
           of the color of blood or cherries or tomatoes or rubies
           [syn: red, reddish, ruddy, blood-red, carmine,
            cerise, cherry, cherry-red, crimson, ruby, ruby-red]
     n : a variable color that is vivid red but sometimes with an
         orange tinge [syn: vermilion, orange red]

Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Scarlet \Scar"let\, n. [OE. scarlat, scarlet, OF. escarlate, F.
   ['e]carlate (cf. Pr. escarlat, escarlata, Sp. & Pg.
   escarlata, It. scarlatto, LL. scarlatum), from Per.
   sakirl[=a]t.]
   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.

Scarlet \Scar"let\, a.
   Of the color called scarlet; as, a scarlet cloth or thread.

   Scarlet admiral (Zo["o]l.), 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 (Zo["o]l.), the telescope fish; -- so called
      from its red color. See under Telescope.

   Scarlet ibis (Zo["o]l.) See under Ibis.

   Scarlet maple (Bot.), the red maple. See Maple.

   Scarlet mite (Zo["o]l.), 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. (Zo["o]l.) See under Tanager.

Scarlet \Scar"let\, v. t.
   To dye or tinge with scarlet. [R.]

         The ashy paleness of my cheek Is scarleted in ruddy
         flakes of wrath.                         --Ford.

Source: Easton's 1897 Bible Dictionary

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.