† ˈpurpuress Obs.
Also 4 -iresse, 7 -urisse.
[f. L. purpura purple + -ess; transl. late L. purpurāria.]
A female seller of purple.
| 1382 Wyclif Acts xvi. 14 Lidda.., purpuresse of the citee of Tiatirens [v.r., a purpiresse, either womman makinge purpur; 1611 a seller of purple]. 1647 Trapp Marrow Gd. Auth. in Comm. Ep. 634 Paul cannot finde the purpurisse, nor Peter the Tanner. |