Purpure
/ˈpɜːr.pjʊər/noun
A heraldic tincture representing purple, historically used in coats of arms and blazons.
Did you know?The word ultimately traces back to the same ancient source as the color purple itself, tied to the legendary Tyrian dye made from sea snails that was so costly it became a sign of imperial authority.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*bʰer-
“to shine, gleam, or be bright”
Ancient Greek
Greek
πορφύρα (porphýra)
“purple dye, purple cloth, and the shellfish used to make the dye”
Latin
Latin
purpura
“purple dye, purple garment, and the color purple”
Old French
Old French
pourpre
“purple color or purple cloth”
Middle English
English
purpure
“purple in heraldry; a heraldic tincture”