Tyrian purple

American  

noun

1. Also called Tyrian dye.  a highly prized crimson or purple dye of classical antiquity, originally obtained at great expense from a certain shellfish: later shown to be an indigo derivative and synthetically produced, and now replaced by other synthetic dyes.

2. a vivid, purplish red.

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Tyrian purple British  

noun

1. a deep purple dye obtained from molluscs of the genus Murex and highly prized in antiquity

2. 1. a vivid purplish-red colour

   2. Sometimes shortened to: Tyrian.  ( as adjective )

      a Tyrian-purple robe

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Etymology

Origin of Tyrian purple

First recorded in 1575–85

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

Tyrian purple

The common name of the dyestuff, Tyrian purple, derives from the habitat of the mollusks, which the Phoenicians purportedly began harvesting in the 16th century B.C. in the city-state of Tyre in present-day Lebanon.

From New York Times ● Mar. 5, 2024

By the 14th century, the secrets of Tyrian purple were lost, according to the University of Chicago Library’s 2007 exhibition “The Origins of Color.”

From Seattle Times ● Dec. 19, 2023

For the ancient Phoenicians, from modern-day Lebanon, the trade in Tyrian purple helped build a mercantile empire that established new colonies across the Mediterranean, including at Carthage, near modern Tunis, under the mythical Queen Dido.

From Reuters ● Feb. 8, 2022

Murex mollusks are the only source of the ancient dye, documented by Pliny, known as Tyrian purple.

From Washington Post ● Jul. 28, 2021

Tyrian purple was her gown; Gold her girdle; and a crown Made of myrtle held her hair Oval on her forehead fair; Little sandals shod her feet.

From The Piper and the Reed by Norwood, Robert W.