PUR'PLE, a. [L. 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, n. 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, v.t. [L. 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.
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