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colour

[ kuhl-er ]

noun

, Chiefly British.


colour

/ ˈkʌlə /

noun

    1. an attribute of things that results from the light they reflect, transmit, or emit in so far as this light causes a visual sensation that depends on its wavelengths
    2. the aspect of visual perception by which an observer recognizes this attribute
    3. the quality of the light producing this aspect of visual perception
    4. ( as modifier )

      colour vision

  1. Also calledchromatic colour
    1. a colour, such as red or green, that possesses hue, as opposed to achromatic colours such as white or black
    2. ( as modifier ) Compare black-and-white

      a colour film

      a colour television

  2. a substance, such as a dye, pigment, or paint, that imparts colour to something
    1. the skin complexion of a person, esp as determined by his race
    2. ( as modifier )

      colour problem

      colour prejudice

  3. the use of all the hues in painting as distinct from composition, form, and light and shade
  4. the quantity and quality of ink used in a printing process
  5. the distinctive tone of a musical sound; timbre
  6. vividness, authenticity, or individuality

    period colour

  7. semblance or pretext (esp in the phrases take on a different colour, under colour of )
  8. a precious mineral particle, esp gold, found in auriferous gravel
  9. physics one of three characteristics of quarks, designated red, blue, or green, but having no relationship with the physical sensation


verb

  1. to give or apply colour to (something)
  2. tr to give a convincing or plausible appearance to (something, esp to that which is spoken or recounted)

    to colour an alibi

  3. tr to influence or distort (something, esp a report or opinion)

    anger coloured her judgment

  4. introften foll byup to become red in the face, esp when embarrassed or annoyed
  5. intr (esp of ripening fruit) to change hue

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Spelling Note

See -or 1.

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Other Words From

  • trans·colour adjective

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Word History and Origins

Origin of colour1

C13: from Old French colour from Latin color tint, hue

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Example Sentences

The new colour scheme will be visible in the dark theme and the chat bubbles seem to be greener compared to the existing colour.

They were dressed in sober colours for today’s brief event, with Harry wearing a suit and tie.

Investigating genetic links between grapheme–colour synaesthesia and neuropsychiatric traits.

I designed a pattern for the colour work that would signify everything about these games!

From Time

The human body comes in a huge variety of shapes, sizes and colours, yet people outside the perceived norm have often been seen as threatening, ridiculous or hateful.

You know the cartoon segment that used to be in colour in rancid old newspapers?

Soul Survivor, a Christian organization based out of the UK, filmed one of their ‘Colour Chaos’ events with GoPros.

Matisse (1869–1954) called it “cutting directly into colour” and the process itself is as fascinating as the results.

She was wonderfully beautiful, but her colour was too deep and her lovely eyes were too bright.

I knew every volume by its colour and examined them all, passing slowly around the library and whistling to keep up my spirits.

The sleeves of his doublet which protruded from his leather casing were of the same colour and material as his trunks.

His hair was darker—almost brown save at the temples, where age had faded it to an ashen colour.

Later on, I believe, a child is wont to have his favourite colour, and to be ready to defend it against the preferences of others.

Liking for a single colour is a considerably smaller display of mind than an appreciation of the relation of two colours.

Tressan was monstrous ill-at-ease, and his face lost a good deal of its habitual plethora of colour.

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petrichor

[pet-ri-kawr]

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colotomycolourable