purple passage
noun
1
: a passage conspicuous for brilliance or effectiveness in a work that is dull, commonplace, or uninspired
2
chiefly British : a piece of obtrusively ornate writing
called also purple patch
Word History
Etymology
translation of Latin pannus purpureus purple patch; from the traditional splendor of purple cloth as contrasted with plainer materials
First Known Use
1882, in the meaning defined at sense 1
purple passage
noun
as in quotation
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- quotation
- locus classicus
- context
- citation
- sound bite
- clip
- sample
- longueur
- snippet
- extract
- selection
- excerpt
- passage