visual purple

noun

: a photosensitive red or purple pigment in the retinal rods of various vertebrates

especially : rhodopsin

First Known Use

1878, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler

The first known use of visual purple was in 1878

See more words from the same year

Style

“Visual purple.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/visual%20purple. Accessed 2 Dec. 2024.

Copy Citation

visual purple

noun

: a red or purple pigment in the retina of various vertebrates including human beings that is sensitive to dim light and functions in night vision

visual purple

noun

: rhodopsin

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