violet

 
Pronunciation: /ˈvʌɪələt/

noun

  • 1a herbaceous plant of temperate regions, typically having purple, blue, or white five-petalled flowers, one petal of which forms a landing pad for pollinating insects.
    • Genus Viola, family Violaceae (the violet family): many species, including the dog violet and sweet violet. See also viola2
  • used in names of similar-flowered plants of other families, e.g. African violet.
  • 2 [mass noun] a bluish-purple colour seen at the end of the spectrum opposite red: a beautiful blue with a tinge of violet

adjective

  • of a bluish-purple colour: her almost violet eyes were a bit startling

Origin:

Middle English: from Old French violette, diminutive of viole, from Latin viola 'violet'