pur·ple
 purple
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- pronunciation:
- puhr
p
l
- parts of speech:
- noun, adjective, transitive verb & intransitive verb
- features:
- Word Combinations (noun, adjective), Word History, Word Explorer
| part of speech: |
noun |
| definition 1: |
the color that results when blue and red paint are mixed.
The purple of these violets is my favorite color.
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| definition 2: |
clothing or cloth of this color, esp. as a symbol of royalty or high rank.
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| part of speech: |
adjective |
| definition 1: |
of or pertaining to the color purple.
The football players wear purple helmets. |
| definition 2: |
full of ornate or elaborate language or literary effects.
Some critics found the author's purple prose too affected. |
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| part of speech: |
transitive verb & intransitive verb |
| inflections: |
purples, purpling, purpled |
| definition: |
to make or become purple.
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| derivation: |
purplish (adj.) |
Purple comes from
porphura, an ancient Greek name for a shellfish from which purple dye is made.