puce

plural puces

1. countableuncountableA brownish-purple color, sometimes more or less deep red or grayish.

   For blacks, browns, puces, and violets, the acetate or tartrate of iron must be employed.

   1881, Alvin Wood Chase, Dr. Chase's Recipes Or, Information for Everybody, page 596

   1 more example

   “Laws can be changed,” said Fudge savagely. “Of course they can,” said Dumbledore, inclining his head. “And you certainly seem to be making many changes, Cornelius. Why, in the few short weeks since I was asked to leave the Wizengamot, it has already become the practice to hold a full criminal trial to deal with a simple matter of underage magic!” A few of the wizards above them shifted uncomfortably in their seats. Fudge turned a slightly deeper shade of puce. The toadlike witch on the right, however, merely glanced at Dumbledore, her face quite expressionless.

   2003, J.K. Rowling, Harry Potter: The Order of the Phoenix, page 149

comparative pucer · superlative pucest

1. Of a brownish-purple color, sometimes more or less deep red or grayish.