amaranthine
English
Alternative forms
Etymology
1660s, coined by Milton, originally in sense "unfading", as amaranth + -ine, from Ancient Greek ἀμάραντος (amárantos, “unfading”). Later used for color.[1]
Noun
amaranthine (countable and uncountable, plural amaranthines)
Adjective
amaranthine (comparative more amaranthine, superlative most amaranthine)
- Of a dark reddish purple colour.
- Unfading, eternal, immortal, infinite.
- 1674, John Milton, Paradise Lost, Book 11,
- […] The angelick blast
- Filled all the regions: from their blisful bowers
- Of amarantine shade, fountain or spring,
- By the waters of life, where’er they sat
- In fellowships of joy, the sons of light
- Hasted, resorting to the summons high
- 1893, Francis Thompson, The Hound of Heaven,
- Ah! is Thy love indeed
- A weed, albeit an amaranthine weed,
- Suffering no flowers except its own to mount?
- 1946, Mervyn Peake, Titus Groan, London: Eyre & Spottiswoode,
- “Fuchsia,” said the Doctor, “come along this evening and I’ll give you a tonic which you must make her take every day. By all that’s amaranthine you really must. […] ”
- 1674, John Milton, Paradise Lost, Book 11,
- Relating to the mythical amaranth flower that never fades.
- Relating to, or having the form of plants of the genus Amaranthus.
See also
- Appendix:Colors
References
- “amaranthine” in Douglas Harper, Online Etymology Dictionary, 2001–2019.
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