First Known Use: circa 1586
Dictionary
Tyrian purple
noun Tyr·i·an purple \ˈtir-ē-ən-\
Definition of TYRIAN PURPLE
: a crimson or purple dye that is related to indigo, was obtained by the ancient Greeks and Romans from gastropod mollusks, and is now made synthetically
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Origin of TYRIAN PURPLE
Tyre, maritime city of ancient Phoenicia
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