red lead
[ led ]
/ lɛd /
noun
an orange to red, heavy, earthy, water-insoluble, poisonous powder, Pb3O4, obtained by heating litharge in the presence of air: used chiefly as a paint pigment, in the manufacture of glass and glazes, and in storage batteries.
Also called
minium.
Compare
litharge.
Origin of red lead
late Middle English word dating back to 1400–50
Words nearby red lead
red jungle fowl,
red kangaroo,
red kowhai,
red label,
red larkspur,
red lead,
red light,
red liquor,
red maids,
red man,
red maple
Example sentences from the Web for red lead
British Dictionary definitions for red lead
red lead
/ (lɛd) /
noun
a bright-red poisonous insoluble oxide of lead usually obtained as a powder by heating litharge in air. It is used as a pigment in paints. Formula: Pb 3 O 4
Also called: minium