noun
Usage: often capitalized T
Etymology: so called from its chief source in ancient times, the city of Tyre
1. : a crimson or purple dye C 16 H 8 Br 2 N 2 O 2 of the indigo class used by the ancient Greeks and Romans and prepared from the adrectal glands of gastropod mollusks (as of the genus Thais ) or made synthetically; 6,6′-dibromo-indigo — see dye table I (under Vat Blue ); compare murex 1b
2. : a strong to vivid purplish red that is redder and darker than Tyrian pink