noun
- plural of ruddle; red ochre or similar reddish earth used as a pigment or marking material
Usage: archaic
verb
- third person singular present of ruddle; marks or colors with red ochre
Usage: archaic
Examples
- The shepherd ruddles his sheep to identify them.
- Ancient cave paintings used ruddles for their red pigments.
- She ruddles the fence posts to make them more visible.
- The artist mixed ruddles with oil to create earth tones.
- Farmers traditionally used ruddles to mark their livestock.