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.
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            They were more ruddy in body than rubies. --Lam. iv.
                                                  7.
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   2. Of a lively flesh color, or the color of the human skin in
      high health; as, ruddy cheeks or lips. --Dryden.
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   Ruddy duck (Zool.), 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 (Zool.) the sanderling.
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Dunbird \Dun"bird`\, n. [Named from its color.] (Zool.)
   (a) The pochard; -- called also dunair, and dunker, or
       dun-curre.
   (b) An American duck; the ruddy duck.
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