colon
1the sign (:) used to mark a major division in a sentence, to indicate that what follows is an elaboration, summation, implication, etc., of what precedes; or to separate groups of numbers referring to different things, as hours from minutes in 5:30; or the members of a ratio or proportion, as in 1 : 2 = 3 : 6.
Classical Prosody. one of the members or sections of a rhythmical period, consisting of a sequence of from two to six feet united under a principal ictus or beat.
Origin of colon
1Other definitions for colon (2 of 5)
Anatomy. the part of the large intestine extending from the cecum to the rectum.
Zoology. the portion of the digestive tract that is posterior to the stomach or gizzard and extends to the rectum.
Origin of colon
2Other definitions for colon (3 of 5)
the paper monetary unit of El Salvador, equal to 100 centavos. Abbreviation: C.
a cupronickel or steel coin and monetary unit of Costa Rica, equal to 100 centimos.
Origin of colon
3Other definitions for colon (4 of 5)
a colonial farmer or plantation owner, especially in Algeria.
Origin of colon
4Other definitions for Colón (5 of 5)
a seaport in Panama at the Atlantic end of the Panama Canal.
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024
British Dictionary definitions for colon (1 of 5)
/ (ˈkəʊlən) /
plural -lons the punctuation mark :, usually preceding an explanation or an example of what has gone before, a list, or an extended quotation
plural -lons this mark used for certain other purposes, such as expressions of time, as in 2:45 p.m., or when a ratio is given in figures, as in 5:3
plural -la (-lə) (in classical prosody) a part of a rhythmic period with two to six feet and one principal accent or ictus
Origin of colon
1British Dictionary definitions for colon (2 of 5)
/ (ˈkəʊlən) /
the part of the large intestine between the caecum and the rectum
Origin of colon
2British Dictionary definitions for colon (3 of 5)
/ (kəˈlɒn, French kɔlɔ̃) /
a colonial farmer or plantation owner, esp in a French colony
Origin of colon
3British Dictionary definitions for colón (4 of 5)
/ (kəʊˈləʊn, Spanish koˈlon) /
the standard monetary unit of Costa Rica, divided into 100 céntimos
the former standard monetary unit of El Salvador, divided into 100 centavos; replaced by the US dollar in 2001
Origin of colón
4British Dictionary definitions for Colón (5 of 5)
/ (kɒˈlɒn, Spanish koˈlɔn) /
a port in Panama, at the Caribbean entrance to the Panama Canal. Chief Caribbean port. Pop: 157 000 (2005 est): Former name: Aspinwall
Archipiélago de Colón (ˌartʃiˈpjelaɣo ðe) the official name of the Galápagos Islands
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Scientific definitions for colon
[ kō′lən ]
The longest part of the large intestine, extending from the cecum to the rectum. Water and electrolytes are absorbed, solidified, and prepared for elimination as feces in the colon. The colon also contains bacteria that help in the body's absorption of nutrients from digested material.
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
Cultural definitions for colon (1 of 2)
A punctuation mark (:) used to introduce a description, an explanation, or a list. For example, “She would own only one kind of pet: a Siamese cat” and “The little boy announced that he wanted the following for his birthday: two sweaters, a new tent, and three toy cars.”
The middle and longest part of the large intestine. (See digestive system.)
The New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, Third Edition Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
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