The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 8 letter word BEAUTIES
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Buddy explains!

The straight part
We know that "purple passages" is the straight/definition part of the clue. The straight part is often a synonym or definition, in this case purple passages = beauties.The cryptic/wordplay part
In cryptic crossword there's often an wordplay/cryptic part as well.This part involves a more complex hint, such as an anagram, homophone, hidden word, etc.
Sadly, We don't have an explanation for this specific crossword clue yet.
What does BEAUTIES mean?
BEAUTIES noun- The quality of being (especially visually) attractive, pleasing, fine or good-looking; comeliness.
- Someone who is beautiful.
- Something that is particularly good or pleasing.
- An excellent or egregious example of something.
- (with the definite article) The excellence or genius of a scheme or decision.
- A beauty quark (now called bottom quark).
- Beauty treatment; cosmetology.
- Prevailing style or taste; rage; fashion.
- (in the plural) Beautiful passages or extracts of poetry.
- To make beautiful.