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.