Pur"lieu (?), n. [Corrupted (by influence of lieu place) fr. OF.
puralÈe, poralÈe (equiv. to LL. perambulatio a survey of boundaries,
originally, a going through); por (L. pro, confused, however, with L.
per through) + alÈe. See Pro-, and Alley.] [Written also pourlieu.] 1.
Originally, the ground near a royal forest, which, having been
unlawfully added to the forest, was afterwards severed from it, and
disafforested so as to remit to the former owners their rights.
Then as a tiger, who by chance hath spied In some purlieu two
gentle fawns at play.
Milton.
2. Hence, the outer portion of any place; an adjacent district;
environs; neighborhood. "The purlieus of St. James."
brokers had been incessantly plying for custom in the purlieus of
the court.
Macaulay.
{ Pur"lin, Pur"line } (?), n. [Etymol. uncertain.] (Arch.) In root
construction, a horizontal member supported on the principals and
supporting the common rafters.
Purl"ing (?), n. [See 3d Purl.] The motion of a small stream running
among obstructions; also, the murmur it makes in so doing.
Pur*loin" (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Purloined (?); p. pr. & vb. n.
Purloining.] [OF. purloignier, porloignier, to retard, delay; pur, por,
pour, for (L. pro) + loin far, far off (L. longe). See Prolong, and cf.
Eloign.] To take or carry away for one's self; hence, to steal; to take
by theft; to filch.
Had from his wakeful custody purloined The guarded gold.
Milton.
when did the muse from Fletcher scenes purloin ?
Dryden.
Pur*loin", v. i. To practice theft; to steal. Titus ii. 10.
Pur*loin"er (?), n. One who purloins. Swift.
Pur"par`ty (?), n. [OF. pourpartie; pour for + partie a part; cf. OF.
purpart a respective part.] (Law) A share, part, or portion of an
estate allotted to a coparcener. [Written also purpart, and pourparty.]
I am forced to eat all the game of your purparties, as well as my
own thirds.
Walpole.
Pur"ple (?), n.; pl. Purples (#). [OE. purpre, pourpre, OF. purpre,
porpre, pourpre, F. pourpre, L. purpura purple fish, purple dye, fr.
Gr. &?; the purple fish, a shell from the purple dye was obtained,
purple dye; cf. &?; dark (said of the sea), purple, &?; to grow dark
(said of the sea), to be troubled; perh. akin to L. furere to rage, E.
fury: cf. AS. purpure. Cf. Porphyry, Purpure.] 1. A color formed by, or
resembling that formed by, a combination of the primary colors red and
blue.
Arraying with reflected purple and gold The clouds that on his
western throne attend.
Milton.
The ancient words which are translated purple are supposed to have been
used for the color we call crimson. In the gradations of color as
defined in art, purple is a mixture of red and blue. When red
predominates it is called violet, and when blue predominates, hyacinth.
2. Cloth dyed a purple color, or a garment of such color; especially, a
purple robe, worn as an emblem of rank or authority; specifically, the
purple rode or mantle worn by Roman emperors as the emblem of imperial
dignity; as, to put on the imperial purple.
Thou shalt make the tabernacle with ten curtains of fine twined
linen, and purple, and scarlet.
Ex. xxvi. 1.
3. Hence: Imperial sovereignty; royal rank, dignity, or favor; loosely
and colloquially, any exalted station; great wealth. "He was born in
the purple." Gibbon.