Ruddy \Rud"dy\, a. [Compar. Ruddier; superl. Ruddiest.]
[AS.
rudig. See Rud, n.]
1. Of a red color; red, or reddish; as, a ruddy sky; a ruddy
flame. --Milton.
They were more ruddy in body than rubies. --Lam. iv.
7.
2. Of a lively flesh color, or the color of the human skin in
high health; as, ruddy cheeks or lips. --Dryden.
Ruddy duck (Zo["o]l.), an American duck (Erismatura
rubida) having a broad bill and a wedge-shaped tail
composed of stiff, sharp feathers. The adult male is rich
brownish red on the back, sides, and neck, black on the
top of the head, nape, wings, and tail, and white on the
cheeks. The female and young male are dull brown mixed
with blackish on the back; grayish below. Called also
dunbird, dundiver, ruddy diver, stifftail,
spinetail, hardhead, sleepy duck, fool duck,
spoonbill, etc.
Ruddy plover (Zo["o]l.) the sanderling.
Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)
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