Cudbear (k?db?r), n. [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.
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2. (Bot.) A lichen (Lecanora tartarea), from which the powder is obtained.
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