Main Entry: vi·o·let

Pronunciation: \ˈvī-(ə-)lət\

Function: noun

Etymology: Middle English, from Anglo-French violete, diminutive of viole violet, from Latin viola

Date: 14th century

1 a : any of a genus (Viola of the family Violaceae, the violet family) of chiefly herbs with alternate stipulate leaves and showy flowers in spring and often cleistogamous flowers in summer; especially : one with smaller usually solid-colored flowers as distinguished from the usually larger-flowered violas and pansies b : any of several plants of genera other than that of the violet — compare dogtooth violet
2 : any of a group of colors of reddish-blue hue, low lightness, and medium saturation

[violet illustration]