violaceous

[ vahy-uh-ley-shuhs ]

adjective

1. belonging to the Violaceae, the violet family of plants. Compare violet family.
2. of a violet color; bluish-purple.

violaceous

/ ˌvaɪəˈleɪʃəs /

adjective

1. of, relating to, or belonging to the Violaceae, a family of herbaceous plants and shrubs including the violets and pansies
2. of the colour violet

Word History and Origins

Origin of violaceous¹

1650–60; < New Latin Violace ( ae ) ( viola ², -aceae ) + -ous

Word History and Origins

Origin of violaceous¹

C17: from Latin violāceus, from viola violet

Example Sentences

They were amaranthine and violaceous and subtly velvet.

From The Guardian

But Dowd, draped in an imperial violaceous dress, is far more friendly than intimidating during a recent sit-down.

From Los Angeles Times

These little birds occupy a space in the simulated rain forest below a violaceous turaco, a native of West Africa threatened by the destruction of its forest and woodland habitats.

From Washington Times

Beneath them are seen brownish and violaceous blotches, the integument thus stained slowly losing its abnormal color.

From Project Gutenberg

The pustules in the course of from four days to a week desiccate and are shed, leaving behind them violaceous pigmentations of the surface without persistent cicatricial sequel�.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• color
• lavender
• lilac
• mauve
• periwinkle
• plum
• violet