ˈpərpyərə̇n noun
( -s )
Etymology: Latin purpura + English -in
1. : an orange or red crystalline compound C 14 H 5 O 2 (OH) 3 obtained from madder root along with alizarin or by oxidation of alizarin and used in dyeing; 1,2,4-trihydroxy-anthraquinone
2. also pur·pu·rine “, -ˌrēn : any of various colored compounds obtained from chlorophyll or related compounds by the action of cold alcoholic alkali and oxygen and closely related to the chlorins