born in the purple

Variant of purple

purple definition

pur·ple (pʉr′pəl)

noun

  1. a dark color that is a blend of red and blue
  2. Now Rare
    1. deep crimson
    2. cloth or clothing of such color: an emblem of royalty or high rank

Etymology: ME purpel < OE (Northumbrian) purpl(e), dissimilated var. of WS purpur(e) < L purpura, purple < Gr porphyra, shellfish yielding purple dye

adjective

  1. of the color purple
  2. imperial; royal
    1. ornate or elaborate in literary style: usually used pejoratively purple prose
    2. profane or obscene purple language

transitive verb, intransitive verb purpled -·pled, purpling -·pling

to make or become purple
purple Idioms

born to the purple

or born in the purple
being of royal or high birth

the purple

royal or high rank

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2009 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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