Cud″bear′ (k?d″b?r′), n. [Also cudbeard, corrupted fr. the name of Dr. Cuthbert Gordon, a Scotchman, who first brought it into notice.] 1. A powder of a violet red color, difficult to moisten with water, used for making violet or purple dye. It is prepared from certain species of lichen, especially Lecanora tartarea. Ure.
2. (Bot.) A lichen (Lecanora tartarea), from which the powder is obtained.