Mauve, n. [F., mallow, L. malva. So named from the similarity of the color to that of the petals of common mallow, Malva sylvestris. See Mallow.].

A color of a delicate purple, violet, or lilac. [1913 Webster]

Mauve aniline (Chem.), a dyestuff produced artificially by the oxidation of commercial aniline, and the first discovered of the so-called coal-tar, or aniline, dyes. It consists of the sulphate of mauveïne, and is a dark brown or bronze amorphous powder, which dissolves to a beatiful purple color. Called also aniline purple, violine, Perkin's mauve, etc.

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OXFORD DICTIONARY

Mauve, adj. & n.
--adj. pale purple.
--n.
1 this colour.
2 a bright but delicate pale purple dye from coal-tar aniline.

Derivative

mauvish adj.

Etymology

F, lit. = mallow, f. L malva

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THESAURUS

Mauve

amethystine, lavender, lilac, livid, magenta, mulberry, orchid, pansy-purple, plum-colored, plum-purple, purple, purplescent, purplish, purply, purpurate, purpure, purpureal, purpurean, purpureous, raisin-colored, violaceous, violet

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ROGET THESAURUS

Mauve

Purple

N purple, blue and red, bishop's purple, aniline dyes, gridelin, amethyst, purpure, heliotrope, lividness, lividity, purple, violet, ultraviolet, plum-colored, lavender, lilac, puce, mauve, livid.

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