A deep purple dyestuff obtained from the bodies of mollusks of the genus Murex (now moved to the genus Haustellum). / A deep purple colour, tinted with red, like that of the dye.

Of a deep purple colour, tinted with red, like that of the dye.

(US politics) A swing state. (In the modern United States) a state that may support the Democratic or Republican Party; a state that is equally like to vote for the Democratic or Republican Party in general; a state that behaves as a red state in some given elections and a blue state in other given elections.

A period of excellent performance where nearly everything seems to go right, contrasting with a lower general level of performance.

(idiomatic) Extravagant or flowery writing, especially in a literary work.

A semi-aquatic herbaceous plant, Lythrum salicaria, having long spikes of purple flowers, native to Eurasia, considered invasive in North America and New Zealand.

A wading bird, Ardea purpurea, having reddish-brown plumage and found throughout southern Europe and Asia.

The drug phenobarbitone when taken recreationally. / (slang, historical) A drinamyl tablet.

(chiefly US, military) A US military decoration awarded in the name of the President of the United States to those wounded or killed while serving on or after 5 April 1917.

(derogatory, dated) A Jehovah's Witness. / (historical) A Jehovah's Witness in Nazi Germany.