What does “the touch of the purple” mean?












4















I've come across a quote by Teddy Roosevelt which shows his admiration for Alexander Hamilton. It uses the phrase "the touch of the purple," but supplies little hint as to what it means.




Roosevelt saw in Hamilton “the touch of the heroic, the touch of the
purple, the touch of the gallant.”




The best explanation I've found is a possible religious meaning, gleaned from the phrase's inclusion in this Wikipedia article. I am also aware that purple has a connotation of royalty or nobility in that, some centuries ago, purple dyes were extravagant and therefore used as a symbol of wealth and power. I'm not entirely convinced that either of these are the sense that Roosevelt was invoking.










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  • It means he was a Vikings fan, obviously!

    – Hot Licks
    4 hours ago
















4















I've come across a quote by Teddy Roosevelt which shows his admiration for Alexander Hamilton. It uses the phrase "the touch of the purple," but supplies little hint as to what it means.




Roosevelt saw in Hamilton “the touch of the heroic, the touch of the
purple, the touch of the gallant.”




The best explanation I've found is a possible religious meaning, gleaned from the phrase's inclusion in this Wikipedia article. I am also aware that purple has a connotation of royalty or nobility in that, some centuries ago, purple dyes were extravagant and therefore used as a symbol of wealth and power. I'm not entirely convinced that either of these are the sense that Roosevelt was invoking.










share|improve this question























  • It means he was a Vikings fan, obviously!

    – Hot Licks
    4 hours ago














4












4








4








I've come across a quote by Teddy Roosevelt which shows his admiration for Alexander Hamilton. It uses the phrase "the touch of the purple," but supplies little hint as to what it means.




Roosevelt saw in Hamilton “the touch of the heroic, the touch of the
purple, the touch of the gallant.”




The best explanation I've found is a possible religious meaning, gleaned from the phrase's inclusion in this Wikipedia article. I am also aware that purple has a connotation of royalty or nobility in that, some centuries ago, purple dyes were extravagant and therefore used as a symbol of wealth and power. I'm not entirely convinced that either of these are the sense that Roosevelt was invoking.










share|improve this question














I've come across a quote by Teddy Roosevelt which shows his admiration for Alexander Hamilton. It uses the phrase "the touch of the purple," but supplies little hint as to what it means.




Roosevelt saw in Hamilton “the touch of the heroic, the touch of the
purple, the touch of the gallant.”




The best explanation I've found is a possible religious meaning, gleaned from the phrase's inclusion in this Wikipedia article. I am also aware that purple has a connotation of royalty or nobility in that, some centuries ago, purple dyes were extravagant and therefore used as a symbol of wealth and power. I'm not entirely convinced that either of these are the sense that Roosevelt was invoking.







meaning phrases phrase-meaning






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asked 6 hours ago









bubblekingbubbleking

3081311




3081311













  • It means he was a Vikings fan, obviously!

    – Hot Licks
    4 hours ago



















  • It means he was a Vikings fan, obviously!

    – Hot Licks
    4 hours ago

















It means he was a Vikings fan, obviously!

– Hot Licks
4 hours ago





It means he was a Vikings fan, obviously!

– Hot Licks
4 hours ago










2 Answers
2






active

oldest

votes


















2














Here, purple is used as noun. So, if you check the definition of purple according to the Merriam Webster especially 2 of 3 entry and particularly 2a, you will find exquisite definition of purple:



https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/purple




imperial or regal rank or power




Backed by Google definition:





a crimson dye obtained from some molluscs, formerly used for fabric worn by an emperor or senior magistrate in ancient Rome or Byzantium.








share|improve this answer































    1














    I take it to mean an aristocratic or lordly quality; he sees in Hamilton something lofty, as if he towers above others.






    share|improve this answer
























    • Perhaps, then, I am mistaken, and the nobility sense is what Roosevelt was going for.

      – bubbleking
      4 hours ago











    • A reference would be nice.

      – lbf
      3 hours ago











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    2 Answers
    2






    active

    oldest

    votes








    2 Answers
    2






    active

    oldest

    votes









    active

    oldest

    votes






    active

    oldest

    votes









    2














    Here, purple is used as noun. So, if you check the definition of purple according to the Merriam Webster especially 2 of 3 entry and particularly 2a, you will find exquisite definition of purple:



    https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/purple




    imperial or regal rank or power




    Backed by Google definition:





    a crimson dye obtained from some molluscs, formerly used for fabric worn by an emperor or senior magistrate in ancient Rome or Byzantium.








    share|improve this answer




























      2














      Here, purple is used as noun. So, if you check the definition of purple according to the Merriam Webster especially 2 of 3 entry and particularly 2a, you will find exquisite definition of purple:



      https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/purple




      imperial or regal rank or power




      Backed by Google definition:





      a crimson dye obtained from some molluscs, formerly used for fabric worn by an emperor or senior magistrate in ancient Rome or Byzantium.








      share|improve this answer


























        2












        2








        2







        Here, purple is used as noun. So, if you check the definition of purple according to the Merriam Webster especially 2 of 3 entry and particularly 2a, you will find exquisite definition of purple:



        https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/purple




        imperial or regal rank or power




        Backed by Google definition:





        a crimson dye obtained from some molluscs, formerly used for fabric worn by an emperor or senior magistrate in ancient Rome or Byzantium.








        share|improve this answer













        Here, purple is used as noun. So, if you check the definition of purple according to the Merriam Webster especially 2 of 3 entry and particularly 2a, you will find exquisite definition of purple:



        https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/purple




        imperial or regal rank or power




        Backed by Google definition:





        a crimson dye obtained from some molluscs, formerly used for fabric worn by an emperor or senior magistrate in ancient Rome or Byzantium.









        share|improve this answer












        share|improve this answer



        share|improve this answer










        answered 3 hours ago









        ubi hattubi hatt

        2,402420




        2,402420

























            1














            I take it to mean an aristocratic or lordly quality; he sees in Hamilton something lofty, as if he towers above others.






            share|improve this answer
























            • Perhaps, then, I am mistaken, and the nobility sense is what Roosevelt was going for.

              – bubbleking
              4 hours ago











            • A reference would be nice.

              – lbf
              3 hours ago
















            1














            I take it to mean an aristocratic or lordly quality; he sees in Hamilton something lofty, as if he towers above others.






            share|improve this answer
























            • Perhaps, then, I am mistaken, and the nobility sense is what Roosevelt was going for.

              – bubbleking
              4 hours ago











            • A reference would be nice.

              – lbf
              3 hours ago














            1












            1








            1







            I take it to mean an aristocratic or lordly quality; he sees in Hamilton something lofty, as if he towers above others.






            share|improve this answer













            I take it to mean an aristocratic or lordly quality; he sees in Hamilton something lofty, as if he towers above others.







            share|improve this answer












            share|improve this answer



            share|improve this answer










            answered 5 hours ago









            KayCeeKayCee

            35014




            35014













            • Perhaps, then, I am mistaken, and the nobility sense is what Roosevelt was going for.

              – bubbleking
              4 hours ago











            • A reference would be nice.

              – lbf
              3 hours ago



















            • Perhaps, then, I am mistaken, and the nobility sense is what Roosevelt was going for.

              – bubbleking
              4 hours ago











            • A reference would be nice.

              – lbf
              3 hours ago

















            Perhaps, then, I am mistaken, and the nobility sense is what Roosevelt was going for.

            – bubbleking
            4 hours ago





            Perhaps, then, I am mistaken, and the nobility sense is what Roosevelt was going for.

            – bubbleking
            4 hours ago













            A reference would be nice.

            – lbf
            3 hours ago





            A reference would be nice.

            – lbf
            3 hours ago


















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