Tuesday, November 19, 2019

Violaceous – Wordplay Wednesday™ 11/20/2019


Enigmatic … Regal … Salacious = FUN! 

We often decorate the Holidays in themed colors—those that appeal to our personal charm and indelible spirit. This season and into 2020, I’m feeling inspired and vivacious …

VIOLACEOUS (vīʹɘ lāʹshɘs) adj. – violet in color. [WW #243]

You would think, since violet has its own bodacious word in the dictionary that other colors of the Rainbow would follow suit. Redness: “The state or quality of being red.” Bor-ing. It’s represented, but certainly not with a colorful and amusing label like violaceous.
 
While blue-related words account for more than a page of definitions from Bluebeard to blue-winged teal, it too, is simply “blueish” rather than “blueaceous” or even “bluedacious.” Yes, violaceous validates that violet is special.

Colors can be evasive to the human eye; none more so than violet. According to Wiki in their description of the spectral table, “Far spectral violet is very dim and rarely seen. The term also extends to purples.”
A mashup of Wiki images gives perspective to violet
 
Rare, indeed; especially in colors of the eye. Did Elizabeth Taylor really flash violet eyes, or were they blue until viewed in a certain light? Whatever you believe, it is well-documented that they were a unique feature of her beauty and glamour, enhanced by a row of double eyelashes (a further genealogical mutation). Wow. No wonder “average” women paled in comparison during her vibrant years.

With blended hues in mind, many believe their violaceous garb is simply a pale imitation of purple … not even. Violet is a step above, with Rainbow spectrum status, as a “true” color on the light spectrum, while purple (not technically a Rainbow color) is a diluted mix of blue and red to form a dichromatic color.

QEII in The Kemp Amethysts
Violet … Purple … comme ci comme ça! Although distinctly different in origin, their hues are arguably interchangeable in personal preference. Amethyst (violet crystal quartz) especially, shares the reverence of royalty with purple.

Throughout history leaders and emperors to queens and kings have exhibited a penchant for both colors, evoking a hint of mystery, magic, and piety—not to mention violaceous extravagance!

So, if you haven’t thought of violet as a dynamic color unto its own, it’s time! Make life fun as you flaunt your individual style. Dah-ling, your violaceous Holiday gown is positively oo-zing opulence!

Word Challenge: VIOLACEOUS. The Holiday Season invites flamboyant and vibrant writing, as you fit violaceous into your week of joyful writings.

Learning knows no prejudices or boundaries, and it isn’t fattening! Expanding your mind is a no-cost, simple joy. Do you feel that way too? What’s your inspiration? Share your creative genius and Wordplay Wednesday comments below.

Write first for yourself … only then can you write for others. (L.Rochelle) 


[LinDee Rochelle is a writer and editor by trade, and an author by way of Rock & Roll. She has published two books (of three) in her Blast from Your Past series about pioneering R&R Radio DJs. True behind-the-mic tales make GREAT Holiday and anytime Gifts available on Amazon (eBook and print): Book 1Rock & Roll Radio DJs: The First Five Years 1954-1959; and Book 2Rock & Roll Radio DJs: The Swinging Sixties. Coming soon … The Psychedelic Seventies!]

Note: Dictionary definitions are quoted from Webster’s New World College Dictionary.
Endnote: FYI – All links in the PFP site are personally visited, verified, and vetted. Most are linked to commonly accessed sites of reputable note. However, as with everything cyber-security, use at your own discretion.

E-N-Dzzzzzzzz  

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