purpurissum

A New Latin Dictionary by Charlton T. Lewis Ph.D. and Charles Short, LL. D.

purpŭrissum, i, n. (masc. collat. form purpŭrissus, Hier. Ep. 54, 7),

I = πορφυρίζον, a kind of dark purple color , used for dyeing red and as a cosmetic, Plin. 35, 6, 12, § 30; Plaut. Most. 1, 3, 104; Naev. and Afran. ap. Non. 218, 30 and 31; Hier. Ep. 127, 3.—

II Transf.: quid in oratione meā purpurisso litum, highly colored , Front. Or. 2, p. 248.