imperial purple

noun

: a grayish violet

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

See more words from the same year

Cite this Entry

Style

“Imperial purple.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/imperial%20purple. Accessed 29 Nov. 2024.

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