1838 H. Martineau Retrospect Western Trav. I. 62 Long before sunset I was at my window again, watching the gradual lengthening of the shadows and purpling of the landscape.

1860 F. W. Farrar Ess. Origin Lang. 125 The deep purpling of an agitated sea.

1930 Child Devel. 1 68/1 This [closing of the air passages] would account for the purpling of the face.

1976 S. M. Gault Dict. Shrubs in Colour 21/1 Some purpling may also occur, these areas later turning brown.

2006 Zanesville (Ohio) Times-Recorder (Nexis) 29 May 2 a Yellowing or purpling of corn plants at this stage of development generally has little or no effect on later crop performance or yield potential.

1637 N. Whiting Le Hore di Recreatione 2 Aurora's purpling blush was clearely seene.

1648 R. Crashaw Steps to Temple (ed. 2) 55 Th' Babes bright face, the purpling bud And Rosie down of the right Royall blood.

1739 H. Brooke Gustavus Vasa 43 Tho' my purpling Blood Were Nectar for Heav'n's Bowl..it thus should pour for Pardon.

1786 R. Burns Poems 171 Upward-springing, blythe, to greet The purpling East.

1836 N. Parker Inklings of Adventure II. ii. iv. 55 The welcome of our far-away kinsmen seemed sent to us on those purpling clouds, winning us back.

1860 Amer. Agriculturist Dec. 353/3 The fading stars, the purpling dawn, and the rising sun, usher in his morning.

1924 A. D. Sedgwick Little French Girl ii. i. 103 The purpling grey of branches..had melted to shroud-like distances.

1958 S. Plath Jrnl. 18 Mar. (2000) 352 Antoine lives in a faculty house facing out over white snow-fields into the purpling and bristled hills.

2004 S. Hall Electric Michelangelo 115 Cyril Parks..was the antidote to all the venom, the one they'd come searching for..to help Paddy carry the purpling, moaning body from the Dog and Partridge.