Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Ruddy \Rud"dy\, a. [Compar. {Ruddier}; superl. {Ruddiest}.] [AS.
   rudig. See {Rud}, n.]
   1. Of a red color; red, or reddish; as, a ruddy sky; a ruddy
      flame. --Milton.

            They were more ruddy in body than rubies. --Lam. iv.
                                                  7.

   2. Of a lively flesh color, or the color of the human skin in
      high health; as, ruddy cheeks or lips. --Dryden.

   {Ruddy duck} (Zo["o]l.), an American duck ({Erismatura
      rubida}) having a broad bill and a wedge-shaped tail
      composed of stiff, sharp feathers. The adult male is rich
      brownish red on the back, sides, and neck, black on the
      top of the head, nape, wings, and tail, and white on the
      cheeks. The female and young male are dull brown mixed
      with blackish on the back; grayish below. Called also
      {dunbird}, {dundiver}, {ruddy diver}, {stifftail},
      {spinetail}, {hardhead}, {sleepy duck}, {fool duck},
      {spoonbill}, etc.

   {Ruddy plover} (Zo["o]l.) the sanderling.