imperial purple
/ɪmˌpɪərɪəl ˈpəːpl/noun
1Cloth of (or trimmed with) a rich crimson or purple colour; specifically (with the) a robe or garment made of this, worn as the distinguishing dress of Roman and Byzantine emperors. Hence figurative : imperial office, rank, or power.
- In early and historical use at this and subsequent senses, it is impossible to be sure of the colour being referred to as purple, a general name applied in antiquity to various shades from black (via blue and violet) to red, although a dark crimson seems to have been the most valued shade..
2Any of various rich crimson or purple colours. Now especially: a deep, rich violet-purple; a shade or tint of this.
3Any of various dyes or pigments used to produce one of these colours; especially those extracted from certain molluscs of the family Muricidae (also known as Tyrian purple) (now historical ).
adjective
(A) Of clothing, etc.: made of imperial purple; (also figurative ) royal, imperial, exalted. (b) Of a deep crimson or violet-purple colour.
- In some cases not clearly distinguishable from use of imperial and purple as independent modifiers..
Origin
Late Middle English; earliest use found in Osbern Bokenham (c1393–c1464), poet and Augustinian friar. In some forms from purple + imperial.