empurple

[ em-pur-puhl ]

verb (used with or without object)

, em·pur·pled, em·pur·pling.

1. to color or become purple or purplish.
2. to darken or redden; flush.

Word History and Origins

Origin of empurple¹

First recorded in 1580–90; em- ¹ + purple

Example Sentences

I tied it so tight as I could, fearful also of empurpling the forearm.

From Literature

When Ms. Diski acted like the teenager she was, sneaking out of windows or bringing boys home, Lessing would become empurpled with rage.

From New York Times

Every grand action is followed by a great, empurpled outpouring of words.

From The New Yorker

Has anybody gone through the ice?” questioned Leon sharply of the one older boy upon the bank, who turned upon him over a heaving shoulder the pleasant, ruddy face, empurpled by shock, of Coombsie.

From Project Gutenberg

The cold had not made her hideous, as it makes so many Italians hideous; her face was not empurpled, her fine features were not swollen.

From Project Gutenberg