Tyrian purple

from WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006)

Tyrian purple
    n 1: a red-purple to deep purple dye obtained from snails or
         made synthetically
    2: a vivid purplish-red color

from The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48

Tyrian \Tyr"i*an\, a. [L. Tyrius, from Tyrus Tyre, Gr. ?.]
   1. Of or pertaining to Tyre or its people.
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   2. Being of the color called Tyrian purple.
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            The bright-eyed perch with fins of Tyrian dye.
                                                  --Pope.
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   {Tyrian purple}, or {Tyrian dye}, a celebrated purple dye
      prepared in ancient Tyre from several mollusks, especially
      Ianthina, Murex, and Purpura. See the Note under {Purple},
      n., 1, and {Purple of mollusca}, under {Purple}, n.
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