n. A reddish-purple dye obtained from aniline, the sulphate of the base mauvein; also, the color produced by it: so called from the resemblance of the color to the purple markings of the petals of mallows. It is now almost out of use. Also called Perkin's purple, aniline violet, and aniline purple.Of the color of mauve: as, a mauve dress.