noun

1. the sensation resulting from stimulation of the retina of the eye by light waves of certain lengths
2. 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
3. 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
4. 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)
5. color of the face; esp., a healthy rosiness or a blush
6. the color of a person's skin
7. skin pigmentation of a particular people or racial group, esp. when other than white
8. a colored badge, ribbon, costume, etc. that identifies the wearer
9. 1. a flag or banner of a country, regiment, etc.
   2. the armed forces of a country, symbolized by the flag to serve with the colors
10. the side that a person is on; position or opinion stick to your colors
11. outward appearance or semblance; plausibility
12. appearance of truth, likelihood, validity, or right; justification the circumstances gave color to his contention
13. general nature; character the color of his mind
14. vivid quality or character, as in a personality, literary work, etc.
15. Art the way of using color, esp. to gain a total effect
16. Law an apparent or prima-facie right
17. ☆ Mining a trace of gold found in panning
18. Music
    1. timbre, as of a voice or instrument; tone color
    2. elaborate ornamentation
19. 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
20. Photog., TV reproduction of images in chromatic colors rather than in black, white, and gray
21. 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

1. to give color to; impregnate or cover with color, as with paint, stain, or dye
2. to change the color of
3. to give a pleasing, convincing, or reasonable appearance to; make plausible
4. to alter or influence to some degree, as by distortion or exaggeration prejudice colored his views

Etymology: L colorare

intransitive verb

1. to become colored
2. to change color, as ripening fruit
3. to blush or flush
4. to engage in the child's pastime of drawing or coloring pictures with wax crayons, etc.