purpleheart
1 of 2noun (1)
pur·ple·heart ˈpər-pəl-ˌhärt 
: a strong durable purplish wood that is obtained from various leguminous trees (genus Peltogyne) of Central and South America
also : a tree producing such wood
Purple Heart
2 of 2noun (2)
: a U.S. military decoration awarded to any member of the armed forces wounded or killed in action
Example Sentences
Recent Examples on the Web
Jace Bauserman, Outdoor Life, 4 Mar. 2020 Neil Sperry Mixed perennials were chosen for seasons of color (purpleheart, yarrow, cannas and others). Neil Sperry, star-telegram, 1 May 2017
Noun
Some of my favorite get-loud strikers include purpleheart, hickory, and birch. Jace Bauserman, Outdoor Life, 4 Mar. 2020 Neil Sperry Mixed perennials were chosen for seasons of color (purpleheart, yarrow, cannas and others). Neil Sperry, star-telegram, 1 May 2017 Word History
First Known Use
Noun (1)
1738, in the meaning defined above
Noun (2)
1932, in the meaning defined above