Tyrian purple

noun

Also called Tyrian dye. a highly prized crimson or purple dye of classical antiquity, originally obtained at great expense from a certain shellfish: later shown to be an indigo derivative and synthetically produced, and now replaced by other synthetic dyes.
a vivid, purplish red.

Origin of Tyrian purple

First recorded in 1575–85

British Dictionary definitions for tyrian purple

Tyrian purple

noun

a deep purple dye obtained from molluscs of the genus Murex and highly prized in antiquity
  1. a vivid purplish-red colour
  2. (as adjective)a Tyrian-purple robe Sometimes shortened to: Tyrian