color
color (kul′ər)
noun
- the sensation resulting from stimulation of the retina of the eye by light waves of certain lengths
- the property of reflecting light of a particular wavelength: the distinct colors of the spectrum are red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, and violet, each of these shading into the next; the primary colors of the spectrum are red, green, and blue, the light beams of which variously combined can produce any of the colors
- any coloring matter; dye; pigment; paint: the primary colors of paints, pigments, etc. are red, yellow, and blue, which, when mixed in various ways, produce the secondary colors (green, orange, purple, etc.): black, white, and gray are often called colors (achromatic colors), although black is caused by the complete absorption of light rays, white by the reflection of all the rays that produce color, and gray by an imperfect absorption of all these rays
- any color other than black, white, or gray; chromatic color: color is distinguished by the qualities of hue (as red, brown, yellow, etc.), lightness (for pigmented surfaces) or brightness (for light itself), and saturation (the degree of intensity of a hue)
- color of the face; esp., a healthy rosiness or a blush
- the color of a person's skin
- skin pigmentation of a particular people or racial group, esp. when other than white
- a colored badge, ribbon, costume, etc. that identifies the wearer
- a flag or banner of a country, regiment, etc.
- the armed forces of a country, symbolized by the flag to serve with the colors
- the side that a person is on; position or opinion stick to your colors
- outward appearance or semblance; plausibility
- appearance of truth, likelihood, validity, or right; justification the circumstances gave color to his contention
- general nature; character the color of his mind
- vivid quality or character, as in a personality, literary work, etc.
- Art the way of using color, esp. to gain a total effect
- Law an apparent or prima-facie right
- ☆ Mining a trace of gold found in panning
- Music
- timbre, as of a voice or instrument; tone color
- elaborate ornamentation
- Particle Physics a unique force or charge on each type of quark that controls how quarks combine to form hadrons: although called red, green, and blue, they are not related to visual colors
- Photog., TV reproduction of images in chromatic colors rather than in black, white, and gray
- TV, Radio colorful details, background data, etc. supplied by a sports commentator between play-by-play descriptions of the action
Etymology: ME & OFr colour < L color < OL colos, orig., a covering < IE base *kel-, to conceal, hide > hull, hall
adjective
transitive verb
- to give color to; impregnate or cover with color, as with paint, stain, or dye
- to change the color of
- to give a pleasing, convincing, or reasonable appearance to; make plausible
- to alter or influence to some degree, as by distortion or exaggeration prejudice colored his views
Etymology: L colorare
intransitive verb
- to become colored
- to change color, as ripening fruit
- to blush or flush
- to engage in the child's pastime of drawing or coloring pictures with wax crayons, etc.
Related Forms:
- colorer col′·orer noun
call to the colors
- call or order to serve in the armed forces
- Mil. a bugle call for the daily flag-raising and flag-lowering ceremonies
change color
- to become pale
- to blush or flush
lose color
of color
show one's (true) colors
- to reveal one's true self
- to make one's opinions, position, etc. known
under color of
Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2009 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
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