My Book is quoted for Word of the Day--pretty cool

(from http://wordsmith.org/words/perse.html):

A.Word.A.Day

with Anu Garg

perse

PRONUNCIATION:

(puhrs)

MEANING:

: Of a grayish blue or purple color.

ETYMOLOGY:

From persus (dark blue), from Latin Persicus (Persian), from Persia, former name of Iran. Why this color is associated with Persia is not entirely clear. Earliest documented use: 1387.

USAGE:

"How much the amethyst ring on her right hand mirrored the fading perse color of the sky." Lisa Kusel; Hat Trick; Hyperion; 2005.