visual purple

noun

: a photosensitive red or purple pigment in the retinal rods of various vertebrates
especially : rhodopsin

Word History

First Known Use

1878, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of visual purple was in 1878

Dictionary Entries Near visual purple

visual point

visual purple

visual ray

See More Nearby Entries 

Cite this Entry

“Visual purple.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/visual%20purple. Accessed 28 Nov. 2024.

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Kids Definition

visual purple

noun
: a red or purple pigment in the retina of various vertebrates including human beings that is sensitive to dim light and functions in night vision

Medical Definition

visual purple

noun
: rhodopsin

More from Merriam-Webster on visual purple

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about visual purple

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