Purple Heart

noun

U.S. Armed Forces.

1. a medal awarded for wounds received in action against an enemy or as a direct result of an act of the enemy.

purple heart

¹

noun

1. any of several tropical American leguminous trees of the genus Peltogyne

2. the decorative purple heartwood of any of these trees

3. informal,  a heart-shaped purple tablet consisting mainly of amphetamine

Purple Heart

²

noun

1. a decoration awarded to members of the US Armed Forces for a wound incurred in action

Word History and Origins

Origin of Purple Heart¹

An Americanism dating back to 1930–35

Example Sentences

A company called Purple Heart reportedly acted an an intermediary in the transfer.

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An Army veteran who grew up in Van Nuys and was awarded a Purple Heart self-deported to South Korea this week as he was threatened with being detained and deported by federal immigration forces.

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It could be Preacher, who has a religious bent; or Bigger, the raw but hyperobservant new recruit; or the war-weary Silk, who already has a Purple Heart; or the aggressive Crazy Horse.

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Several veterans groups separately filed a brief supporting the order: The Vietnam Veterans of America California State Council and four VVA chapters, the Amvets Department of California and the Military Order of the Purple Heart.

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Twenty minutes later, Foster returns to PCH with not only the Purple Heart, but several family photos, wrapped carefully in a tablecloth.

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