Definition of "cudbear"

cudbear

noun
countable and uncountable, plural cudbears
1. A violet-red powder, difficult to moisten with water, prepared from certain lichens, especially Ochrolechia tartarea (syn. Lecanora tartarea), and used for making violet or purple dye.
  Quotations
  ORCHELLA WEEDS. The cylindrical and flat species of Roccella used in the manufacture of Orchil or Archil, and Cudbear, are so called by the makers.
  1878, Andrew Ure, Robert Hunt, Frederick William Rudler, Ure̓'s Dictionary of Arts, Manufactures, and Mines: Containing a Clear Exposition of Their Principles and Practice, volume 3
2. A rim lichen, crabseye lichen (Ochrolechia tartarea, syn. Lecanora tartarea), from which the powder is obtained.