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 violet2: any of a group of colors of reddish-blue hue, low lightness, and medium saturation

[violet illustration]