Pur"pu*ra (?), n. [L., purple, purple fish: cf. F. purpura. See Purple.]
1. Med.
A disease characterized by livid spots on the skin from extravasated blood, with loss of muscular strength, pain in the limbs, and mental dejection; the purples.
Dunglison.
2. Zool.
A genus of marine gastropods, usually having a rough and thick shell. Some species yield a purple dye.
© Webster 1913.