n. A color formed by the mixture of blue and red, including the violet of the spectrum above wave-length 0.417 micron, which is nearly a violet-blue, and extending to but not including crimson.n. Of the various colors called purple at any time, the Tyrian dye (which was properly a crimson) was anciently the most celebrated. This color was produced from an animal juice found in a shell-fish called murex or conchylium by the ancients. See Purpura, 2.n. A cloth robe, dress, or mantle of this hue, formerly the distinguishing dress of emperors, kings, or princes: as, to wear the purple.n. Hence Imperial or regal power; the office or dignity of an emperor or king.n. A cardinalate: so called in allusion to the red or scarlet hat and robes worn officially by cardinals.n. A gastropod yielding a purple fluid for dyeing, as a murex. Holland, tr. of Pliny.n. A shell of the genus Purpura.n. A purple fluid secreted by certain shell-fish, more fully called purple of Mollusca.n. plural See purples.Of a hue or color composed of red and blue blended.Imperial; regal; of the conventional color of imperial robes.See Patersonia.To tinge or stain with purple; impart a purplish hue to.To become purple; assume a purplish hue.