tyrian purple

2 definitions found

tyrian purple - Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 :

  Tyrian \Tyr"i*an\, a. [L. Tyrius, from Tyrus Tyre, Gr. ?.]
     1. Of or pertaining to Tyre or its people.
        [1913 Webster]
  
     2. Being of the color called Tyrian purple.
        [1913 Webster]
  
              The bright-eyed perch with fins of Tyrian dye.
                                                    --Pope.
        [1913 Webster]
  
     Tyrian purple, or Tyrian dye, a celebrated purple dye
        prepared in ancient Tyre from several mollusks, especially
        Ianthina, Murex, and Purpura. See the Note under Purple,
        n., 1, and Purple of mollusca, under Purple, n.
        [1913 Webster]

tyrian purple - WordNet (r) 2.1 (2005) :

  Tyrian purple
      n 1: a red-purple to deep purple dye obtained from snails or
           made synthetically
      2: a vivid purplish-red color