Etymology : Middle English colour, from Old French, from Latin color; akin to Latin celare to conceal; more at HELL
Pronunciation : k&-l&r
Function : noun
Date : 13th century
1. shade, tint, hue (also colour). add color, tint; distort, falsify (also colour). using or having color (also colour). color\col"or\ , n. [written also colour.] [of. color, colur, colour, f. couleur, l. color; prob. akin to celare to conceal (the color taken as that which covers). see:
helmet.].
2. a property depending on the relations of light to the eye, by which individual and specific differences in the hues and tints of objects are apprehended in vision; as, gay colors; sad colors, etc.note: the sensation of color depends upon a peculiar function of the retina or optic nerve, in consequence of which rays of light produce different effects according to the length of their waves or undulations, waves of a certain length producing the sensation of red, shorter waves green, and those still shorter blue, etc. white, or ordinary, light consists of waves of various lengths so blended as to produce no effect of color, and the color of objects depends upon their power to absorb or reflect a greater or less proportion of the rays which fall upon them.
3. any hue distinguished from white or black.
4. the hue or color characteristic of good health and spirits; ruddy complexion. give color to my pale cheek.
5. that which is used to give color; a paint; a pigment; as, oil colors or water colors.
6. that which covers or hides the real character of anything; semblance; excuse; disguise; appearance. they had let down the boat into the sea, under color as though they would have cast anchors out of the foreship. i.
7. that he should die is worthy policy; but yet we want a color for his death.
8. shade or variety of character; kind; species. boys and women are for the most part cattle of this color.
9. a distinguishing badge, as a flag or similar symbol (usually in the plural); as, the colors or color of a ship or regiment; the colors of a race horse (that is, of the cap and jacket worn by the jockey). in the united states each regiment of infantry and artillery has two colors, one national and one regimental.
10. (law) an apparent right; as where the defendant in trespass gave to the plaintiff an appearance of title, by stating his title specially, thus removing the cause from the jury to the court.note: color is express when it is averred in the pleading, and implied when it is implied in the pleading.
11. A property depending on the relations of light to the eye, by which individual and specific differences in the hues and tints of objects are apprehended in vision; as, gay colors; sad colors, etc.
12. Any hue distinguished from white or black.
13. The hue or color characteristic of good health and spirits; ruddy complexion.
14. That which is used to give color; a paint; a pigment; as, oil colors or water colors.
15. That which covers or hides the real character of anything; semblance; excuse; disguise; appearance.
16. Shade or variety of character; kind; species.
17. A distinguishing badge, as a flag or similar symbol ; as, the colors or color of a ship or regiment; the colors of a race horse.
18. An apparent right; as where the defendant in trespass gave to the plaintiff an appearance of title, by stating his title specially, thus removing the cause from the jury to the court.
19. To change or alter the hue or tint of, by dyeing, staining, painting, etc.; to dye; to tinge; to paint; to stain.
20. To change or alter, as if by dyeing or painting; to give a false appearance to; usually, to give a specious appearance to; to cause to appear attractive; to make plausible; to palliate or excuse; as, the facts were colored by his prejudices.
21. To hide.
22. To acquire color; to turn red, especially in the face; to blush. the appearance of objects described in terms of a person's perception of their hue and lightness and saturation a visual attribute of things that results from the light they emit or transmit or reflect; "a white color is made up of many different wavelengths of light" the timbre of a musical sound; "the recording fails to capture the true color of the original music" interest and variety and intensity; "the Puritan Period was lacking in color" the characteristic of quarks that determines their role in the strong interaction; each flavor of quarks comes in three colors a race with skin pigmentation different from the white race add color to; "The child colored the drawings"; "Fall colored the trees"; "colorize black and white film" gloss or excuse; "color a lie" decorate with colors; "color the walls with paint in warm tones" modify or bias; "His political ideas color his lectures" having or capable of producing colors; "color film"; "he rented a color television"; "marvelous color illustrations".
23. see:
colour. color me surprised/confused/embarrassed etc used to say that you are very surprised, confused etc by something.