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(), n.; pl. Purples (). [OE. purpre, pourpre, OF. purpre, porpre, pourpre, F. pourpre, L. purpura purple fish, purple dye, fr. Gr. the purple fish, a shell from the purple dye was obtained, purple dye; cf. dark (said of the sea), purple, 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 purple and gold The 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, th Pur"ple a. 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 robe. 2. 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. Shak. I view a field of blood, And Tiber rolling with a purple blood. Dryden. Purple bird (Zol.), the European purple gallinule. See under Gallinule. Purple copper ore. (Min.) See Bornite. Purple grackle (Zol.), the crow blackbird. See under Crow. Purple martin. See under Martin. Purple sandpiper. See under Sandpiper. Purple shell. See Ianthina. Pur"ple (), v. 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 blood. When morn Purples the east. Milton. Reclining soft in blissful bowers, Purpled sweet with springing flowers. Fenton. スポンサード リンク
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