Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Purple \Pur"ple\, a.
   1. Exhibiting or possessing the color called purple, much
      esteemed for its richness and beauty; of a deep red, or
      red and blue color; as, a purple robe.

   2. Imperial; regal; -- so called from the color having been
      an emblem of imperial authority.

            Hide in the dust thy purple pride.    --Shelley.

   3. Blood-red; bloody.

            May such purple tears be alway shed.  --Shak.

            I view a field of blood, And Tiber rolling with a
            purple blood.                         --Dryden.

   {Purple bird} (Zo["o]l.), the European purple gallinule. See
      under {Gallinule}.

   {Purple copper ore}. (Min.) See {Bornite}.

   {Purple grackle} (Zo["o]l.), the crow blackbird. See under
      {Crow}.

   {Purple martin}. See under {Martin}.

   {Purple sandpiper}. See under {Sandpiper}.

   {Purple shell}. See {Ianthina}.