ruddy

Everyday

1. A ruddy face is healthy and red or pink, often from being outdoors. tree →
2. Ruddy can mean reddish in colour. tree →
3. (UK, mild swearing, old-fashioned) Ruddy is a softer word for «bloody», used to show annoyance or for emphasis. tree →

In the lessons

In stories a farmer or sailor has «ruddy cheeks» from wind and sun. In UK everyday talk, older people may say «the ruddy car won't start» when cross; it is a mild word, a polite replacement for a ruder one. Phrases: ruddy cheeks, ruddy complexion, ruddy hell (UK, mild).

Examples

• The fisherman had a ruddy face from the sea wind. tree →
• Her cheeks were ruddy after the snowball fight. tree →
• The sky had a ruddy glow at sunset. tree →
• This ruddy printer has jammed again! (UK, mild swearing) tree →
• Grandad said, «It's ruddy freezing out there!» (UK) tree →
• The ruddy fox crept across the field. tree →
• Rudy turned round, and beheld a man with a ruddy, pleasant face, and a stout figure. tree →

Note

Adjective forms: ruddier, ruddiest. The swearing sense is mild and old-fashioned, a euphemism for «bloody»; it is still better not used in class. The colour sense is not rude at all.

In Jewish tradition

It means reddish; Esau was born red all over and covered in hair. It can also mean healthy and handsome, as David was, or a glowing red-pink colour, as in the Song of Songs and Lamentations.

Interpretation. The rabbis linked Esau's redness to bloodshed and to the name Edom, "red," from which his people came. David's ruddy look is read as a sign of his fitness to be king.

Examples

• And the first came forth ruddy, all over like a hairy mantle; and they called his name Esau. (Torah GEN.25.25, JPS 1917) tree →
• 'My beloved is white and ruddy, pre-eminent above ten thousand. (Writings SNG.5.10, JPS 1917) tree →
• Now he was ruddy, and withal of beautiful eyes, and goodly to look upon. (Prophets 1SA.16.12, JPS 1917) tree →
• Her princes were purer than snow, they were whiter than milk, they were more ruddy in body than rubies, their polishing was as of sapphire; (Writings LAM.4.7, JPS 1917) tree →

Note

Adjective forms: ruddier, ruddiest. The swearing sense is mild and old-fashioned, a euphemism for «bloody»; it is still better not used in class. The colour sense is not rude at all.