Definition of: scarlet

(skär′lit) noun
1. A brilliant red, inclining to orange.
2. A bright–red dye formerly obtained from the kermes or cochineal insect.
3. Any one of several coal–tar colors, varying from yellow to brown and used for dyeing.
4. Cloth or clothing of a scarlet color.
—adjective
1. Brilliant–red, inclining to orange.
2. Clothed in scarlet. [<OF escarlate <Med. L scarlatum, prob. <Arabic siqillāt <Persian saqalāt a rich, scarlet cloth]