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, 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.