imperial purple

noun

1
: a grayish violet
2
of textiles : a deep purple that is redder and duller than hyacinth violet or petunia violet and redder and less strong than dahlia purple (see dahlia purple sense 2)

Word History

First Known Use

1750, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Time Traveler
The first known use of imperial purple was in 1750

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Cite this Entry

“Imperial purple.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/imperial%20purple. Accessed 13 Nov. 2024.

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