Re: English colour verbs (was: Adjectives, Adverbs, Ad...)

Peter Bleackley wrote at 2004-03-17 09:17:45 (+0000)
 > Staving Tim May:
 > >
 > >Mmmm, I don't agree with all of this.  "To blue" is to my knowledge only
 > >found as a technical term in metalworking, but I think "to brown" has
 > >more general applicability;  it's principally used in the kitchen, but
 > >I find it acceptable for e.g. the action of the sun on skin.  By
 > >contrast, I'm not sure I can think of an example where I'd find "to
 > >purple" natural.
 >
 >
 >
 > Vespasian's legions purpled their general.
 >
 > Pete

I'm not familiar with such a usage, although I can understand it in
context.  I assume this is a direct translation of the Latin idiom?

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