Definify.com
Webster 1913 Edition
Purple
Pur′ple
,Noun.
pl.
Purples
(#)
. [OE.
purpre
, pourpre
, OF. purpre
, porpre
, pourpre
, F. pourpre
, L. purpura
purple fish, purple dye, fr. Gr. [GREEK] the purple fish, a shell from the purple dye was obtained, purple dye; cf. [GREEK] dark (said of the sea), purple, [GREEK] to grow dark (said of the sea), to be troubled; perh. akin to L. furere
to rage, E. fury
: cf. AS. purpure
. Cf. Porphyry
, Purpure
.] 1.
A color formed by, or resembling that formed by, a combination of the primary colors red and blue.
Arraying with reflected
The clouds that on his western throne attend.
purple
and goldThe clouds that on his western throne attend.
Milton.
☞ The ancient words which are translated purple are supposed to have been used for the color we call crimson. In the gradations of color as defined in art, purple is a mixture of red and blue. When red predominates it is called violet, and when blue predominates, hyacinth.
2.
Cloth dyed a purple color, or a garment of such color; especially, a purple robe, worn as an emblem of rank or authority; specifically, the purple rode or mantle worn by Roman emperors as the emblem of imperial dignity;
as, to put on the imperial
. purple
Thou shalt make the tabernacle with ten curtains of fine twined linen, and
purple
, and scarlet. Ex. xxvi. 1.
3.
Hence: Imperial sovereignty; royal rank, dignity, or favor; loosely and colloquially, any exalted station; great wealth.
“He was born in the purple.” Gibbon.
4.
A cardinalate. See
Cardinal
. 5.
(Zool.)
Any species of large butterflies, usually marked with purple or blue, of the genus
Basilarchia
(formerly Limenitis
) as, the banded
See Illust. under purple
(Basilarchia arthemis
). Ursula
. 6.
(Zool.)
Any shell of the genus
Purpura
. 8.
pl.
A disease of wheat. Same as
Earcockle
. ☞ Purple is sometimes used in composition, esp. with participles forming words of obvious signification; as, purple-colored, purple-hued, purple-stained, purple-tinged, purple-tinted, and the like.
French purple
. (Chem.)
Same as
– Cudbear
. Purple of Cassius
. See
– Cassius
. Purple of mollusca
(Zool.)
, a coloring matter derived from certain mollusks, which dyes wool, etc., of a purple or crimson color, and is supposed to be the substance of the famous Tyrian dye. It is obtained from Ianthina, and from several species of Purpura, and Murex.
– To be born in the purple
, to be of princely birth; to be highborn.
Pur′ple
,Adj.
1.
Exhibiting or possessing the color called purple, much esteemed for its richness and beauty; of a deep red, or red and blue color;
as, a
. purple
robe2.
Imperial; regal; – so called from the color having been an emblem of imperial authority.
Hide in the dust thy
purple
pride. Shelley.
3.
Blood-red; bloody.
May such
purple
tears be alway shed. Shakespeare
I view a field of blood,
And Tiber rolling with a
And Tiber rolling with a
purple
blood. Dryden.
Pur′ple
,Verb.
T.
[
imp. & p. p.
Purpled
; p. pr. & vb. n.
Purpling
.] To make purple; to dye of purple or deep red color;
as, hands
. purpled
with bloodWhen morn
Purples
the east. Milton.
Reclining soft in blissful bowers,
Purpled
sweet with springing flowers. Fenton.
Webster 1828 Edition
Purple
PUR'PLE
,Adj.
1.
Designating a color composed of red and blue blended, much admired, and formerly the roman emperors wore robes of this color.2.
In poetry, red or livid; dyed with blood. I view a field of blood,
And Tyber rolling with a purple flood.
PUR'PLE
,Noun.
1.
A cardinalate.PUR'PLE
,Verb.
T.
When morn
Purples the east.
Reclining soft in blissful bowers,
Purpled sweet with springing flowers.