Word Study
violet
CIDE DICTIONARY
violet, n. [F. violette a violet (cf. violet violet-colored), dim. of OF. viole a violet, L. viola; akin to Gr. . Cf. Iodine.].
- Any plant or flower of the genus
Viola , of many species. The violets are generally low, herbaceous plants, and the flowers of many of the species are blue, while others are white or yellow, or of several colors, as the pansy (Viola tricolor ). [1913 Webster]" The cultivated sweet violet isViola odorata of Europe. The common blue violet of the eastern United States isViola cucullata ; the sand, or bird-foot, violet isViola pedata ." [1913 Webster] - The color of a violet, or that part of the spectrum farthest from red. It is the most refrangible part of the spectrum. [1913 Webster]
- In art, a color produced by a combination of red and blue in equal proportions; a bluish purple color. Mollett. [1913 Webster]
- Any one of numerous species of small violet-colored butterflies belonging to
Lycæna , orRusticus , and allied genera. [1913 Webster]
Dark blue, inclining to red; bluish purple; having a color produced by red and blue combined. [1913 Webster]
OXFORD DICTIONARY
violet, n. & adj.
--n.
1 a any plant of the genus Viola, esp. the sweet violet, with usu. purple, blue, or white flowers. b any of various plants resembling the sweet violet.
2 the bluish-purple colour seen at the end of the spectrum opposite red.
3 a pigment of this colour. b clothes or material of this colour.
--adj. of this colour.
--n.
1 a any plant of the genus Viola, esp. the sweet violet, with usu. purple, blue, or white flowers. b any of various plants resembling the sweet violet.
2 the bluish-purple colour seen at the end of the spectrum opposite red.
3 a pigment of this colour. b clothes or material of this colour.
--adj. of this colour.
Etymology
ME f. OF violet(te) dimin. of viole f. L VIOLA(2)
THESAURUS
violet
amethystine, lavender, lilac, livid, magenta, mauve, mulberry, orchid, pansy-purple, plum-colored, plum-purple, purple, purplescent, purplish, purply, purpurate, purpure, purpureal, purpurean, purpureous, raisin-colored, violaceousROGET THESAURUS
violet
Purple
N purple, blue and red, bishop's purple, aniline dyes, gridelin, amethyst, purpure, heliotrope, lividness, lividity, purple, violet, ultraviolet, plum-colored, lavender, lilac, puce, mauve, livid.For further exploring for "violet" in Webster Dictionary Online