Praetorian Sheen Crimson

Latin praetōriānus, of the praetor — adjectival suffix, referring to the Roman-Imperial elite guard-cohorts. As a color modifier, praetorian implies a saturated-and-elite-and-imperial-guard quality, the deep-rich color of Roman-Praetorian-Guard elite-imperial-bodyguard scarlet-tunic-and-bronze-armor military-formation. Sits at the bold-and-formal end of the grid, parallel to spartan and imperial.

Old English scēne, bright / fair. As a color modifier, sheen implies a soft-and-luminous-glow quality, the visual register of silk-and-pearl-and-satin-sheen soft-and-luminous-glow silk-and-pearl-and-satin sheen-and-luminous-glow surfaces under soft-and-luminous-silk-and-pearl-sheen filtered light. Sits at the modifier-and-texture end of the grid, parallel to gloss and shine in usage.

From the Old Spanish cremesin, itself from the Arabic qirmiz — the kermes scale insect, dried and ground into a brilliant carmine dye prized in the medieval Mediterranean. For centuries the most expensive red on a draper's shelf, reserved for cardinals, kings, and the cloth that gave English the word crimson. Cooler than scarlet, deeper than rose; the color of pomegranate seeds and a serious occasion.