Purple

PUR'PLE. The purple dye so famous among the Orientals of ancient days was produced from a species of shellfish peculiar to the Mediterranean Sea. It was highly esteemed also among the Hebrews. The hangings of the temple and some of the priests' garments were of this color. Ex 25:4; Gen 35:6; Ex 39:29; 2 Chron 3:14, also the robes of royalty and distinction were of purple. Judg 8:26; Esth 8:15. It would seem, however, that the Hebrews used the term "purple" with considerable latitude, applying it in general to every color into the composition of which red entered.

PUR'PLE. The purple dye so famous among the Orientals of ancient days was produced from a species of shellfish peculiar to the Mediterranean Sea. It was highly esteemed also among the Hebrews. The hangings of the temple and some of the priests' garments were of this color. Ex 25:4; Gen 35:6; Ex 39:29; 2 Chron 3:14, also the robes of royalty and distinction were of purple. Judg 8:26; Esth 8:15. It would seem, however, that the Hebrews used the term "purple" with considerable latitude, applying it in general to every color into the composition of which red entered.

Part of speech: noun (n.)

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.

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. Any species of large butterflies, usually marked with purple or blue, of the genus Basilarchia (formerly Limenitis) as, the banded purple (B. arthemis). See Illust. under Ursula.

6. Any shell of the genus Purpura.

7. pl.(Med.)

8. See Purpura.

9. A disease of wheat. Same as Earcockle.

Part of speech: verb (v.)

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.

Part of speech: adjective (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 (Zoöl.), the European purple gallinule. See under Gallinule. -- Purple copper ore. (Min.) See Bornite. -- Purple grackle (Zoöl.), the crow blackbird. See under Crow. -- Purple martin. See under Martin. -- Purple sandpiper. See under Sandpiper. -- Purple shell. See Ianthina.