magenta Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun a primary subtractive color for light; a dark purple-red color; the dye for magenta was discovered in 1859, the year of the battle of Magenta
  2. noun a battle in 1859 in which the French and Sardinian forces under Napoleon III defeated the Austrians under Francis Joseph I
    Battle of Magenta.
  3. adjective satellite of deep purplish red

WordNet


Ma*gen"ta noun
Definitions
  1. (Chem.) An aniline dye obtained as an amorphous substance having a green bronze surface color, which dissolves to a shade of red; also, the color; -- so called from Magenta, in Italy, in allusion to the battle fought there about the time the dye was discovered. Called also fuchsine, roseïne, etc. now fuschin 2. n. the purpish-red color of magenta

Webster 1913