1. [n]  a variable color that is vivid red but sometimes with an orange tinge
2. [adj]  having any of numerous bright or strong colors reminiscent of the color of blood or cherries or tomatoes or rubies

1. \Scar"let\, n. [OE. scarlat, scarlet, OF. escarlate, F.
   ['e]carlate (cf. Pr. escarlat, escarlata, Sp. & Pg.
   escarlata, It. scarlatto, LL. scarlatum), from Per.
   sakirl[=a]t.]
   A deep bright red tinged with orange or yellow, -- of many
   tints and shades; a vivid or bright red color.
   2. Cloth of a scarlet color.
            All her household are clothed with scarlet. --Prov.
                                                  xxxi. 21.
   

2. \Scar"let\, a.
   Of the color called scarlet; as, a scarlet cloth or thread.
   {Scarlet admiral} (Zo["o]l.), the red admiral. See under
      {Red}. -- Scarlet bean (Bot.), a kind of bean ({Phaseolus
      multiflorus}) having scarlet flowers; scarlet runner.
   {Scarlet fever} (Med.), a contagious febrile disease
      characterized by inflammation of the fauces and a scarlet
      rash, appearing usually on the second day, and ending in
      desquamation about the sixth or seventh day.
   {Scarlet fish} (Zo["o]l.), the telescope fish; -- so called
      from its red color. See under {Telescope}.
   {Scarlet ibis} (Zo["o]l.) See under {Ibis}.
   {Scarlet maple} (Bot.), the red maple. See {Maple}.
   {Scarlet mite} (Zo["o]l.), any one of numerous species of
      bright red carnivorous mites found among grass and moss,
      especially {Thombidium holosericeum} and allied species.
      The young are parasitic upon spiders and insects.
   {Scarlet oak} (Bot.), a species of oak ({Quercus coccinea})
      of the United States; -- so called from the scarlet color
      of its leaves in autumn.
   {Scarlet runner} (Bot.), the scarlet bean.
   {Scarlet tanager}. (Zo["o]l.) See under {Tanager}.
   

3. \Scar"let\, v. t.
   To dye or tinge with scarlet. [R.]
         The ashy paleness of my cheek Is scarleted in ruddy
         flakes of wrath.                         --Ford.
   

This dye was obtained by the Egyptians from the shell-fish Carthamus tinctorius; and by the Hebrews from the Coccus ilicis, an insect which infests oak trees, called kermes by the Arabians.

This colour was early known (Gen. 38:28). It was one of the colours of the ephod (Ex. 28:6), the girdle (8), and the breastplate (15) of the high priest. It is also mentioned in various other connections (Josh. 2:18; 2 Sam. 1:24; Lam. 4:5; Nahum 2:3). A scarlet robe was in mockery placed on our Lord (Matt. 27:28; Luke 23:11). "Sins as scarlet" (Isa. 1:18), i.e., as scarlet robes "glaring and habitual." Scarlet and crimson were the firmest of dyes, and thus not easily washed out.