Russet

Russet (cloth)

Russet is a coarse cloth made of wool and dyed with woad and madder to give it a subdued grey or brown shade. By the statute of 1363, poor English people were required to wear russet or cheap blanket. Humble squires and priests, such as Franciscans wore russet as a sign of humility but preferred a good quality russet such as that made in Colchester, which was better than the cheapest cloth. The medieval poem Piers Plowman describes the virtuous Christian:

Russet (color)

The color known as Russet is a dark brown color with a reddish-orange tinge. As a tertiary color, russet is an equal mix of orange and purple pigments. The first recorded use of russet as a color name in English was in 1562.

russet

Noun

1. A reddish-brown color.
2. A coarse, reddish-brown, homespun fabric; clothes made with such fabric.

Adjective

1. Having a reddish-brown color.
2. Gray or ash-colored.