/ Dictionary / Index P purple heron: Meaning and Definition of Find definitions for: pur'ple her'on Pronunciation: [key] an Old World heron, Ardea purpurea, having maroon, buff, and black plumage. Random House Unabridged Dictionary, Copyright © 1997, by Random House, Inc., on Infoplease. Purple Heart purple loosestrife Related Content Daily Word Quiz: careening Analogy of the Day: Today’s Analogy Spelling Bee: Today’s Spelling Bee Frequently Misspelled Words Frequently Mispronounced Words Easily Confused Words Writing & Language