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.
Etymology: ME f. OF violet(te) dimin. of viole f. L VIOLA(2)