Purple Heart

noun

, U.S. Armed Forces.

1. a medal awarded for wounds received in action against an enemy or as a direct result of an act of the enemy.

Purple Heart

¹

noun

1. a decoration awarded to members of the US Armed Forces for a wound incurred in action

purple heart

²

noun

1. any of several tropical American leguminous trees of the genus Peltogyne
2. the decorative purple heartwood of any of these trees
3. informal.
   a heart-shaped purple tablet consisting mainly of amphetamine

Word History and Origins

Origin of Purple Heart¹

An Americanism dating back to 1930–35

Example Sentences

On our last visit, we noticed a whole pallet of Purple Heart, Distinguished Flying Cross, and Silver Star certificates.

From The Daily Beast

One had fought hand-to-hand combat and earned a Purple Heart in Korea.

From The Daily Beast

Finally, without an Act of Terror designation, those wounded in defense of our nation will not receive a Purple Heart.

From The Daily Beast

Granting the Purple Heart is just the first step in fully legitimizing and addressing PTSD.

From The Daily Beast

But the regulation for the Purple Heart never makes any distinction between internal wounds or external wounds.

From The Daily Beast

In Guiana the canoe is made of the bark of the purple-heart tree, stripped off and tied together at the ends.

From Project Gutenberg

Some wood-paths are found sprinkled with dog-violets, saxifrage, and with purple heart's-ease.

From Project Gutenberg

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