Rŭd'dock, n.

n. [Written also raddock.] [A-S. rudduc, W. rhuddog, rhuddawg, having a redness, the redbreast. See RUD, n.]

1Sense 1. A bird, the English robin or redbreast. “The ruddock warbles soft.” Spenser.

2Sense 2. That which is red; and, specifically, a piece of gold coin.

The greedy carle came within a space That owned the gold, and saw the pot behind Where ruddocks lay, but ruddocks could not find. Turberville.

The word was applied to gold coin, according to Nares, “from an idea that gold is red, which, odd as it seems, was very prevalent;” but more probably because it was often alloyed with copper, which gave it a reddish tinge.

3Sense 3. More generally, a piece of money;—called also red-ruddock and golden ruddock. “Great pieces of gold, as our countrymen say, red-ruddocks.” Florio.

If he have golden ruddocks in his bags, he must be wise and honorable. Lely.