colour

Definition from Wiktionary, a free dictionary

[edit] English

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Color

Wikipedia

[edit] Alternative spellings

• color (US)

[edit] Etymology

Latin color, via Old French coulour; the US spelling, which excludes the u, was chosen to conform to the word's Latin origin, and to make all derivatives consistent (colorimeter, colorize, colorless, etc; see below). Elsewhere in the English-speaking world, the u has been retained.

[edit] Pronunciation

• (RP) enPR: kŭlʹə, IPA: /ˈkʌlə/, SAMPA: /"kVl@/
• (US) enPR: kŭlʹər, IPA: /ˈkʌlɚ/, SAMPA: /"kVl@`/

[edit] Noun

colour (countable and uncountable; plural colours) (British, Canadian)

1. (uncountable) The spectral composition of visible light

   Humans and birds can perceive colour

2. (countable) A particular set of visible spectral compositions, perceived or named as a class

   Most languages have names for the colours black, white, red and green.

3. (uncountable) Hue as opposed to achromatic colours (black, white and greys).

   He referred to the white flag as one "drained of all colour".

4. (uncountable) Human skin tone, especially as an indicator of race or ethnicity.

   Colour has been a sensitive issue in many societies.

5. (figuratively) Interest, especially in a selective area

   a bit of local colour

6. (heraldry): Any of the standard dark tinctures used in a coat of arms, including azure, gules, sable, and vert. Contrast with metal.
7. (in plural) A standard or banner.

   The loss of their Colours destroyed the regiment's morale.

8. The system of colour television.

   This film is broadcast in colour.

9. (in plural) An award for sporting achievement, particularly within a school or university.

   He was awarded colours for his football.

10. (physics) A property of quarks, with three values called red, green, and blue, which they can exchange by passing gluons.
11. (typography) The relative lightness or darkness of a mass of written or printed text on a page.
12. (snooker) Any of the coloured balls excluding the reds.

[edit] Usage notes

Colour is the preferred form in Canadian English, but color is also accepted.

[edit] Derived terms

• colour-blind
• colour code
• coloured
• colourful
• colour of fire
• flame-colour
• colourimeter
• colourise
• colourize
• colourless
• colours
• discoloration
• true colours

[edit] Synonyms

• (spectral composition of visible light):
• (particular set named as a class): hue
• (hue, as opposed to achromatic colours): hue
• (human skin tone as an indicator or race or ethnicity): colour of one’s skin, ethnicity, race
• (interest, especially in a selective area): interest
• (dark tincture):
• (standard or banner): banner, standard
• (colour television): colour television

[edit] Translations

[edit] External links

• Color on Wikipedia.Wikipedia:Color (disambiguation)

[edit] Verb

to colour (third-person singular simple present colours, present participle colouring, simple past and past participle coloured) (British, Canadian)

1. To give something colour.

   We could colour the walls red.

2. (intransitive) To apply colours to the areas within the boundaries of a line drawing using coloured markers or crayons.

   My son loves to colour.

3. Of a face: To become red through increased blood flow, implying due to strong emotion.

   Her face coloured as she realised her mistake.

4. To affect without completely changing.

   That interpretation certainly colours my perception of the book.

5. (informal) To attribute a quality to.

   Colour me confused.

[edit] Synonyms

• (give something colour) dye, paint, shade, tinge, tint
• (apply colours within boundaries of a line drawing)
• (of a face, become red) blush
• (affect without completely changing) affect, influence
• (attribute a quality to) call

[edit] Derived terms

• colour by numbers

[edit] Translations

[edit] See also

• tincture
• Appendix:Colours