ˈvaɪəlɪt n. & adj. --n. 1 a
any plant of
the genus Viola,
esp. the
sweet violet,
with usu.
purple, blue, or
white flowers. b any of
various plants resembling the sweet violet. 2 the bluish-purple
colour seen at the
end of the
spectrum opposite red. 3 a
pigment of
this colour. b
clothes or
material of this colour. --adj. of this colour. [ME f. OF violet(te) dimin. of viole f. L VIOLA(2)]