Designating a color composed of red and blue blended, much admired, and formerly the roman emperors wore robes of this color.

In poetry, red or livid; dyed with blood. I view a field of blood, And Tyber rolling with a purple flood.

A purple color or dress; hence, imperial government in the Roman empire, as a purple robe was the distinguishing dress of the emperors.

Acardinalate.

To make purple, or to dye of a red color; as hands purpled with blood. When morn . Purples the east. Reclining soft in blissful bowers, Purpled sweet with springing flowers.