purple

PUR'PLE, adjective [Latin purpureus; purpura, a shell from which the color was obtained.] 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 A purple color or dress; hence, imperial government in the Roman empire, as a purple robe was the distinguishing dress of the emperors. 1. A cardinalate. PUR'PLE, verb transitive [Latin purpuro.] To make purple or to dye of a red color; as hands purpled with blood. When morn Purples the east. Reclining soft in blissful bowers, Purpled sweet with springing flowers.