Liberal Dictionary English Dictionary
noun
- a person having red hair.
- an American diving duck, Aythya americana, the male of which has a bright chestnut-red head.
noun
- a person with red hair
- a diving duck, Aythya americana, of North America, the male of which has a grey-and-black body and a reddish-brown head
mid-13c., from red (adj.1) + head (n.). Red (adj.), of persons, “having red hair” is from late Old English.
The Carrot pate be sure you hate, for she’l be true to no man,
But put her too ‘t and she will do ‘t, and oft turns very common:
She that is red upon the head will doubtless ne’r forsake it,
But wanton be, assuredly, and willingly will take it.
[“The True Lover’s Admonition,” Roxburghe Ballads, c.1680]