VIOLET

noun Etymology: Middle English, from Anglo-French ~e, diminutive of viole ~, from Latin viola Date: 14th century 1. any of a genus ( Viola of the family Violaceae, the ~ family) of chiefly herbs with alternate stipulate leaves and showy flowers in spring and often cleistogamous flowers in summer, any of several plants of genera other than that of the ~, any of a group of colors of reddish-blue hue, low lightness, and medium saturation