ruddle

English

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /ˈɹʌdəl/
• Rhymes: -ʌdəl

Etymology 1

From rud +‎ -le. Compare German Rötel (“track”), Post-Classical Latin rudellum . Compare to reddle and raddle.

Noun

ruddle (countable and uncountable, plural ruddles)

1. A form of red ochre sometimes used to mark sheep.
2. (obsolete) Ruddiness; red coloration.

Synonyms

• raddle
• reddle

Derived terms

• ruddleman

Verb

ruddle (third-person singular simple present ruddles, present participle ruddling, simple past and past participle ruddled)

1. To mark something with red ochre.
2. To raddle or twist.

Synonyms

• raddle
• reddle

References

• OED 2nd edition 1989

Etymology 2

Noun

ruddle (plural ruddles)

1. A riddle or sieve.
   • 1603, Plutarch, Philemon Holland, transl., The Philosophie, Commonlie Called, The Morals […], London: […] Arnold Hatfield, OCLC 1051546006:

     They will not passe thorough the holes of the sieve, ruddle or trie, if they be narrow.

Verb

ruddle (third-person singular simple present ruddles, present participle ruddling, simple past and past participle ruddled)

1. (transitive) To sift together; to mix, as through a sieve.