PURPLE HEART

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

IPA (US):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does Purple Heart mean? 

• PURPLE HEART (noun)
  The noun PURPLE HEART has 2 senses:

1. a United States military decoration awarded to any member of the armed forces who is wounded in action

2. a long-acting barbiturate used as a sedative

  Familiarity information: PURPLE HEART used as a noun is rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• PURPLE HEART (noun)

Sense 1

Meaning:

A United States military decoration awarded to any member of the armed forces who is wounded in action

Classified under:

Nouns denoting communicative processes and contents

Synonyms:

Order of the Purple Heart; Purple Heart

Hypernyms ("Purple Heart" is a kind of...):

decoration; laurel wreath; medal; medallion; palm; ribbon (an award for winning a championship or commemorating some other event)

Sense 2

Meaning:

A long-acting barbiturate used as a sedative

Classified under:

Nouns denoting man-made objects

Synonyms:

Luminal; phenobarbital; phenobarbitone; purple heart; sodium thiopental

Hypernyms ("purple heart" is a kind of...):

barbiturate (organic compound having powerful soporific effect; overdose can be fatal)