E. Cobham Brewer 1810–1897. Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 1898.
Purpure [purple].
One of the colours of an heraldic escutcheon. It is expressed by vertical lines running down towards the left hand (as you look at the shield lying before you); “Vert” runs the contrary way.
1
English heralds vary escutcheons by seven colours; foreign heralds by nine. (See HERALDS.)
