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Tyrian purple

noun

  1. Also called Tyrian dye. a highly prized crimson or purple dye of classical antiquity, originally obtained at great expense from a certain shellfish: later shown to be an indigo derivative and synthetically produced, and now replaced by other synthetic dyes.
  2. a vivid, purplish red.


Tyrian purple

noun

  1. a deep purple dye obtained from molluscs of the genus Murex and highly prized in antiquity
    1. a vivid purplish-red colour
    2. ( as adjective ) Sometimes shortened toTyrian

      a Tyrian-purple robe

“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012


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Word History and Origins

Origin of Tyrian purple1

First recorded in 1575–85
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Example Sentences

Tyrian purple he rejected as being too dull for the comparison.

The modern chemist has robbed royalty of its most distinctive insignia, Tyrian purple.

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Tyriantyro