redhead (redhed)

[ In 3. The red-headed woodpecker, Melanerpes erythrocephalus. See cut under Melanerpes. 4. A tropical milkweed, Asclepias Cura avica, with umbels of bright-red flowers. The root and the expre ed juice are emetic, or in smaller doses cathartic. Also called blood-flower and bastard ipecacuanha. [West Indies.] red-headed (red'hed"ed), a. 1. Having red hair, as a person. - 2. Having a red head, as a bird: as, the red - headed woodpecker, Mela nerpes erythrocephalus. See cut under Melaner pes. Red-headed curre, duck, pochard, poker, raft-duck, or widgeon. Same as redhead, 2-Redheaded finch or linnet, the redpoll. - Red-headed smew, the female smew or white nun, Mergellus albellus. -Red-headed teal. Same as greenwing. red hi bit i on (red-hi-bish'on), n. [= F. rédhi bition = Sp. redhibicion = Pg. redhibição = It. red i biz i one, redhibitory