perse
[purs]
- of a very deep shade of blue or purple.
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Origin of perse
1325–75; Middle English pers < Medieval Latin persus, perhaps variant of perseus kind of blue, itself alteration of Latin Persicus Persian
St.-John Perse
[sin-juh n purs]
- Alexis Saint-Léger Léger, 1887–1975, French diplomat and poet: Nobel Prize in literature 1960.
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Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Examples from the Web for perse
Historical Examples
Circe was the daughter of Sol and Perse, and was celebrated for her skill in magic.
Human AnimalsFrank Hamel
Circe was the daughter of Helios (the Sun) by the ocean-nymph Perse.
Milton's ComusJohn Milton
It is less than two hundred feet from the gate to Perse's doorsteps.
Truxton KingGeorge Barr McCutcheon
The Duke of Perse was lying back in the seat, his face like that of a dead man.
Truxton KingGeorge Barr McCutcheon
At this the Duke of Perse came to his feet again, an angry gleam in his eyes.
Truxton KingGeorge Barr McCutcheon
perse
- a dark greyish-blue colour
- (as adjective)perse cloth
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Word Origin
C14: from Old French, from Medieval Latin persus, perhaps changed from Latin Persicus Persian
Perse
- Saint-John (ˈsɪndʒən), real name Alexis Saint-Léger . 1887–1975, French poet, born in Guadeloupe. His works include Anabase (1922) and Chronique (1960). Nobel prize for literature 1960
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Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
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Word Origin and History for perse
adj.
late 14c., "blue, bluish-gray," later "purplish-black," from Old French pers "(dark) blue, livid; wan, pale," from Late Latin persus, perhaps a back-formation from one of the early European forms of Persia.
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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper