Library / English Dictionary

    VIOLET

    Pronunciation (US): Play  (GB): Play

     I. (noun) 

    Sense 1

    Meaning:

    A variable color that lies beyond blue in the spectrumplay

    Synonyms:

    reddish blue; violet

    Classified under:

    Nouns denoting attributes of people and objects

    Hypernyms ("violet" is a kind of...):

    purple; purpleness (a purple color or pigment)

    Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "violet"):

    indigo (a blue-violet color)

    Derivation:

    violet (of a color intermediate between red and blue)

    Sense 2

    Meaning:

    Any of numerous low-growing violas with small flowersplay

    Classified under:

    Nouns denoting plants

    Hypernyms ("violet" is a kind of...):

    viola (any of the numerous plants of the genus Viola)

    Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "violet"):

    American dog violet; Viola conspersa (violet of eastern North America having pale violet to white flowers)

    sweet white violet; Viola blanda; white violet; woodland white violet (short-stemmed violet of eastern North America having fragrant purple-veined white flowers)

    Canada violet; tall white violet; Viola canadensis; white violet (tall North American perennial with heart-shaped leaves and white flowers with purple streaks)

    dog violet; heath violet; Viola canina (Old World leafy-stemmed blue-flowered violet)

    heartsease; two-eyed violet; Viola ocellata (violet of Pacific coast of North America having white petals tinged with yellow and deep violet)

    English violet; garden violet; sweet violet; Viola odorata (European violet typically having purple to white flowers; widely naturalized)

    bird's-foot violet; Johnny-jump-up; pansy violet; Viola pedata; wood violet (common violet of the eastern United States with large pale blue or purple flowers resembling pansies)

    downy yellow violet; Viola pubescens (violet of eastern North America having softly pubescent leaves and stems and clear yellow flowers with brown-purple veins)

    long-spurred violet; Viola rostrata (violet of eastern North America having lilac-purple flowers with a long slender spur)

    cream violet; pale violet; striped violet; Viola striata (leafy-stemmed violet of eastern North America having large white or creamy flowers faintly marked with purple)

    hedge violet; Viola reichenbachiana; Viola sylvatica; wood violet (common European violet that grows in woods and hedgerows)

     II. (adjective) 

    Sense 1

    Meaning:

    Of a color intermediate between red and blueplay

    Synonyms:

    purple; purplish; violet

    Classified under:

    Adjectives

    Similar:

    chromatic (being or having or characterized by hue)

    Derivation:

    violet (a variable color that lies beyond blue in the spectrum)

    Credits

     Context examples: 

    Upon exposure to light of appropriate wavelength (violet to blue range), excited PpIX emits a characteristic red fluorescence which could facilitate guided resection, and generates excited singlet oxygen molecules that could kill cells when appropriate laser dosage is applied.

    (Oral Aminolevulinic Acid Hydrochloride, NCI Thesaurus)

    Before the sun dipped below the black mass of Kettleness, standing boldly athwart the western sky, its downward way was marked by myriad clouds of every sunset-colour—flame, purple, pink, green, violet, and all the tints of gold; with here and there masses not large, but of seemingly absolute blackness, in all sorts of shapes, as well outlined as colossal silhouettes.

    (Dracula, by Bram Stoker)

    You observed that her right glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink.

    (The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

    The violet silk would be so nice.

    (Little Women, by Louisa May Alcott)

    How difficult it was to realize that the violet line upon the far horizon was well advanced to that great river upon which huge steamers ran, and folk talked of the small affairs of life, while we, marooned among the creatures of a bygone age, could but gaze towards it and yearn for all that it meant!

    (The Lost World, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

    I wanted the violet silk, but there isn't time to make it over, so I must be contented with my old tarlaton.

    (Little Women, by Louisa May Alcott)

    Early as it was, he was at the station next morning to see Jo off, and thanks to him, she began her solitary journey with the pleasant memory of a familiar face smiling its farewell, a bunch of violets to keep her company, and best of all, the happy thought, Well, the winter's gone, and I've written no books, earned no fortune, but I've made a friend worth having and I'll try to keep him all my life.

    (Little Women, by Louisa May Alcott)

    Laurie dug a grave under the ferns in the grove, little Pip was laid in, with many tears by his tender-hearted mistress, and covered with moss, while a wreath of violets and chickweed was hung on the stone which bore his epitaph, composed by Jo while she struggled with the dinner.

    (Little Women, by Louisa May Alcott)


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