SINCE 1828

An Encyclopædia Britannica Company

purple passage

noun

Definition of purple passage

1 : a passage conspicuous for brilliance or effectiveness in a work that is dull, commonplace, or uninspired
2 chiefly British : a piece of obtrusively ornate writing —called also purple patch

Origin and Etymology of purple passage

translation of Latin pannus purpureus purple patch; from the traditional splendor of purple cloth as contrasted with plainer materials

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First Known Use: 1882

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