mauves

Noun

mauve (countable and uncountable, plural mauves)

1. (historical) A rich purple synthetic dye, which faded easily, briefly popular c. 1859‒1873 and now called mauveine.
2. A pale purple or violet colour, like the colour of the dye after it has faded.
   • Never trust a woman who wears mauve, whatever her age may be, or a woman over thirty-five who is fond of pink ribbons.1891, Oscar Wilde, chapter VIII, in The Picture of Dorian Gray, London; New York, N.Y.: Ward Lock & Co., →OCLC, page 151

See all 3 meanings of mauve