russet

[ ruhs-it ]
See synonyms for: russetrussets on Thesaurus.com

noun
  1. yellowish brown, light brown, or reddish brown.

  2. a coarse reddish-brown or brownish homespun cloth formerly used for clothing.

  1. any of various apples that have a rough brownish skin and ripen in the autumn.

  2. a brownish, roughened area on fruit, resulting from diseases, insects, or spraying.

  3. finished leather that is not yet polished or colored.

adjective
  1. yellowish-brown, light-brown, or reddish-brown.

  2. made of russet.

Origin of russet

1
1225–75; Middle English <Old French rousset, diminutive of rous reddish brown, red (of hair); see roux

Other words from russet

  • rus·set·ish, rus·set·y, adjective
  • rus·set·like, adjective

Words Nearby russet

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use russet in a sentence

  • A maple spread friendly arms at one corner, a lordly tree that would blaze crimson and russet-brown when October came again.

    The Hidden Places | Bertrand W. Sinclair
  • The St. Bernard laid his silver and russet head on her skirt.

    Mary Gray | Katharine Tynan
  • Tertiary Colours are three only, citrine, russet, and olive.

    Field's Chromatography | George Field
  • Inside was an elderly lady, and in her arms was a russet Pekingese.

    A Boswell of Baghdad | E. V. Lucas
  • The third circle shows how slate, citrine and russet are made.

    Color Value | C. R. Clifford

British Dictionary definitions for russet

russet

/ (ˈrʌsɪt) /


noun
  1. brown with a yellowish or reddish tinge

    • a rough homespun fabric, reddish-brown in colour, formerly in use for clothing

    • (as modifier): a russet coat

  1. any of various apples with rough brownish-red skins

  2. abnormal roughness on fruit, caused by parasites, pesticides, or frost

adjective
  1. (of tanned hide leather) dressed ready for staining

  2. archaic simple; homely; rustic: a russet life

  1. of the colour russet: russet hair

Origin of russet

1
C13: from Anglo-Norman, from Old French rosset, from rous, from Latin russus; related to Latin ruber red

Derived forms of russet

  • russety, adjective

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012