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Definition of long purples in English:

long purples

noun

dialect, rare British

  • Any of several plants having long purple flower spikes, especially the early purple orchid, Orchis mascula, and purple loosestrife, Lythrum salicaria; (in singular) a flower of such a plant.

Origin

Early 17th century; earliest use found in William Shakespeare (1564–1616), playwright and poet.