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Tyrian

Tyrian

9.9
A purple dye made in ancient Tyre used to color clothes
  • noun
  • /ˈtɪr.i.ən/
translation icon : púrpura de Tiro
  • The robe was dyed with Tyrian, making it a symbol of high status in ancient times.

Examples

  • Historians believe that only the elite could afford garments colored with Tyrian.

  • Archaeologists discovered traces of Tyrian on pottery fragments near the old port.

  • The Tyrian dye was highly sought after in ancient times.

  • The Tyrian color was often reserved for kings and queens.

  • The robe was dyed with Tyrian, making it a symbol of high status in ancient times.

  • Historians believe that only the elite could afford garments colored with Tyrian.

  • The Tyrian dye was highly sought after in ancient times.

Synonyms

royal purple
vsTyrian
1 4.2

A deep purple color with a red tone used to show wealth or power

refers to the historical dye made in one place not only a color shade
Tyrian purple
vsTyrian
9.9

A deep purple dye from sea snails used for royal clothes

comes from a specific ancient city and was used by wealthy rulers

Compounds

A deep purple dye from sea snails used for royal clothes

How Purple

Tyrian
9.9
purple
229 1.0
mauve
10 5.8
lavender
18 1.1

Surface Forms

Tyrian singular
Tyrians plural

Morphology

Tyrian = Tyre (semi-transparent) = Tyre + ian

The dye name is historically linked to Tyre, but the specialized association with the famous purple dye is not fully predictable from the place name alone.

Etymology

Tyrian also names the famous purple dye made in Tyre from a kind of sea snail. The dye was very rare and worn by kings, so Tyrian dye means that special royal 'purple'.