'To be born in the purple' definitions:

Definition of 'To be born in the purple'

From: GCIDE
  • Purple \Pur"ple\, n.; pl. Purples. [OE. purpre, pourpre, OF. purpre, porpre, pourpre, F. pourpre, L. purpura purple fish, purple dye, fr. Gr. ? the purple fish, a shell from the purple dye was obtained, purple dye; cf. ? dark (said of the sea), purple, ? to grow dark (said of the sea), to be troubled; perh. akin to L. furere to rage, E. fury: cf. AS. purpure. Cf. Porphyry, Purpure.]
  • 1. A color formed by, or resembling that formed by, a combination of the primary colors red and blue. [1913 Webster]
  • Arraying with reflected purple and gold The clouds that on his western throne attend. -- Milton. [1913 Webster]
  • Note: The ancient words which are translated purple are supposed to have been used for the color we call crimson. In the gradations of color as defined in art, purple is a mixture of red and blue. When red predominates it is called violet, and when blue predominates, hyacinth. [1913 Webster]
  • 2. Cloth dyed a purple color, or a garment of such color; especially, a purple robe, worn as an emblem of rank or authority; specifically, the purple rode or mantle worn by Roman emperors as the emblem of imperial dignity; as, to put on the imperial purple. [1913 Webster]
  • Thou shalt make the tabernacle with ten curtains of fine twined linen, and purple, and scarlet. --Ex. xxvi. 1. [1913 Webster]
  • 3. Hence: Imperial sovereignty; royal rank, dignity, or favor; loosely and colloquially, any exalted station; great wealth. "He was born in the purple." --Gibbon. [1913 Webster]
  • 4. A cardinalate. See Cardinal. [1913 Webster]
  • 5. (Zool.) Any species of large butterflies, usually marked with purple or blue, of the genus Basilarchia (formerly Limenitis) as, the banded purple ({Basilarchia arthemis}). See Illust. under Ursula. [1913 Webster]
  • 6. (Zool.) Any shell of the genus Purpura. [1913 Webster]
  • 7. pl.(Med.) See Purpura. [1913 Webster]
  • 8. pl. A disease of wheat. Same as Earcockle. [1913 Webster]
  • Note: Purple is sometimes used in composition, esp. with participles forming words of obvious signification; as, purple-colored, purple-hued, purple-stained, purple-tinged, purple-tinted, and the like. [1913 Webster]
  • French purple. (Chem.) Same as Cudbear.
  • Purple of Cassius. See Cassius.
  • Purple of mollusca (Zool.), a coloring matter derived from certain mollusks, which dyes wool, etc., of a purple or crimson color, and is supposed to be the substance of the famous Tyrian dye. It is obtained from Ianthina, and from several species of Purpura, and Murex.
  • To be born in the purple, to be of princely birth; to be highborn. [1913 Webster]