purple

purple adj

ONorthumb. < ME < L. purpura < Gk πορφύρα, Mediterranean shell-fish that yields the Tyrian purple.

1. Hazy blue; [fig.] distant; elevated; referring to landscape, high mountains, or the horizon.
2. Blue and red; [fig.] life-giving; vital; blood-carrying.
3. Tyrian blue; [fig.] imperial; majestic; distinguished; elegant; pertaining to color of the robes of kings and queens.
4. Bluish-red; violet; crimson; tinted with deep colors caused by the sunrise or sunset.
5. Exotic; mysterious.
6. Deeply-colored; floral; lavender; referring to flowers.
7. Drowned; bluish in color like the body after death; [fig.] funereal; deathly.
8. Ruling; commanding; all-powerful; omnipotent.
9. Dark; deep; unfathomable in depth.
10. Phrase. “Purple host”: iris flowers; flags, in the botanical sense; [fig.] blood-stained soldiers; bruised battle-worn exhausted army personnel; brave heroic bold soldiers with flags, banners, or pennants.
11. Phrase. “purple finger”: shadow; [fig.] violet-colored bloom; lilac, lavender, or gentian blossoms; covering of aster flowers.

purple adv

see purple, adj.

1. Violet; in reddish-blue hues.

purple [-s] n

see purple, adj.

1. Crimson hue; mixture of blue and red [used generally of nature or landscape.]
2. Violet light; bluish-red color of a sunset or sunrise; [fig.] the rising or setting sun.
3. Color of a body at or after death; color of blood or bruises; [fig.] mortal wound; death.
4. Color of royalty; majesty; dignity; distinction; elegance; richness; authority; the color of robes for monarchs.
5. Royal robe; funeral robe; expensive or exotic cloth tinted with a rich, brightly colored dye; [fig.] exaltation; glory; honor; royalty; nobility.
6. Color of spring flowers; deep-hued bloom.
7. [Fig.] blood; life; vitality.
8. Summit; rocky slope; range; high peak; [fig.] monarch; emperor.