Dictionary.net

of imperial status; "he was born to the purple"

of a color midway between red and blue

of imperial status; "he was born to the purple"

of a color midway between red and blue

A color formed by, or resembling that formed by, a combination of the primary colors red and blue.

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.

Hence: Imperial sovereignty; royal rank, dignity, or favor; loosely and colloquially, any exalted station; great wealth.

A cardinalate. See Cardinal.

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.

Any shell of the genus Purpura.

See Purpura.

A disease of wheat. Same as Earcockle.

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.

Imperial; regal; -- so called from the color having been an emblem of imperial authority.

To make purple; to dye of purple or deep red color; as, hands purpled with blood.

See Purpura.

Of the color of blended blue and red.

A color resulting from a mixture of red and blue: the robe of this color formerly worn by royalty; hence, royal power or dignity; also, great wealth or high rank; as, born to the purple.

To give a purple color to.

To become purple.

A very dark-red color: a purple dress or robe, orig. worn only by royalty: a robe of honor.

Red tinged with blue: blood-red: bloody.

To dye purple: to clothe with purple.

Color composed of red and blue; a purple robe.

Of a purple color.

To color purple.

A color of mingled red and blue.

Royal dignity; rank; wealth.

The office of a cardinal.

Of a color more or less resembling both blue and red (including violet); as a n., such a color or a substance possessing it.

n. [Latin, Greek] A purple colour ; -a colour compounded from a mixture of red and blue ;-a purple robe or dress ; hence, the imperial dignity in ancient Rome, and the dignity of cardinal in modern Rome ;-pl. Spots of a livid colour on the skin.