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\par Purples the east.\par Reclining soft in blissful bowers,\par Purpled sweet with springing flowers.
