adjective
rare, historicalOf a bright red, reddish-purple, or reddish-yellow colour or shade.
Origin
Late Middle English; earliest use found in John Trevisa (c1342–?1402), translator. From classical Latin pūniceus bright red, scarlet, crimson (from Pūnicus + -eus, partly after purpureus purple, and partly after ancient Greek ϕοινίκεος) + -ous.
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