colour

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[edit] English

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[edit] Alternative forms

[edit] Etymology

From Latin color, via Anglo-Norman colour (Early Anglo-Norman culur). 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

[edit] Noun

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

  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 the 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 the 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. See also Usage notes at color.

[edit] Synonyms

[edit] Derived terms

Derived terms

[edit] Translations

colour — see color

[edit] Verb

colour (third-person singular simple present colours, present participle colouring, simple past and past participle coloured) (UK, Canada)

  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

[edit] Derived terms

[edit] Translations

colour — see color

[edit] See also

[edit] External links

[edit] Anagrams

[edit] Anglo-Norman

[edit] Etymology

Early Anglo-Norman culur and similar, Latin color.

[edit] Noun

colour f. (oblique plural colours, nominative singular colour, nominative plural colours)

  1. colour; color
    Le Roy de Jesuralem porte l'escu d'argent croiselee d'or a une croise potente d'or. Et si avient malement colour d'or en argent

[edit] Old French

[edit] Noun

colour f. (oblique plural colours, nominative singular colour, nominative plural colours)

  1. Alternative form of color.
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