n.
Pronunciation: ' v ī -( ə -)l ə t
Function: noun
Etymology: Middle English, from Anglo-French violete, diminutive of viole violet, from Latin viola
Date: 14th century
1 a : any of a genus ( Viola of the family Violaceae, the violet family) of chiefly herbs with alternate stipulate leaves and showy flowers in spring and often cleistogamous flowers in summer especially : one with smaller usually solid-colored flowers as distinguished from the usually larger-flowered violas and pansies b : any of several plants of genera other than that of the violet ― compare DOGTOOTH VIOLET
2 : any of a group of colors of reddish-blue hue, low lightness, and medium saturation
violet