also: しい
noun
purple vestment; high-ranking priest's purple robe
Historically awarded by the imperial household to high-ranking Buddhist priests. Now a cultural/historical term.
その高僧は天皇から紫衣を賜った。
The high priest was granted a purple robe by the emperor.
紫衣は仏教界で最高の栄誉の一つとされた。
The purple vestment was considered one of the highest honors in the Buddhist world.
From 紫 (purple) + 衣 (garment). The term originates from the imperial court's practice of granting purple robes to eminent monks.