This week's theme
Toponyms

This week's words
stellenbosch
campanology
perse
iliad
damask

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A.Word.A.Day

PRONUNCIATION:

(puhrs)

MEANING:

adjective: Of a grayish blue or purple color.

ETYMOLOGY:

From persus (dark blue), from Latin Persicus (Persian), from Persia, former name of Iran. Why this color is associated with Persia is not entirely clear. Earliest documented use: 1387.

USAGE:

"How much the amethyst ring on her right hand mirrored the fading perse color of the sky."
Lisa Kusel; Hat Trick; Hyperion; 2005.

"He noticed the perse under each lid, and the blue, death-struck lips."
Thomas Keneally; Bring Larks and Heroes; Cassell Australia; 1967.

A THOUGHT FOR TODAY: