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wikipedia|color
English

Alternative spellings
color (US)
both color and colour forms are accepted in Canadian English; however, the Federal Government uses -our endings (along with other British spellings), making colour the preferred spelling.

Etymology
L. 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.

Pronunciation
(RP'):
*AHD|/kŭlʹ�/
*IPA|/�k�l�/
*SAMPA|/"kVl@/
(US):
*AHD|/kŭlʹ�r/
*IPA|/�k�l�/
*SAMPA|/"kVl@`/

Noun
en-noun|s|- CE

1. uncountable The spectral composition of visible light

#: Humans and birds can perceive colour

1. 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.

1. uncountable hue|Hue as opposed to achromatic colours (black, white and greys).

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

1. uncountable Human skin tone, especially as an indicator of race or ethnicity.

#: Colour has been a sensitive issue in many societies.

1. figuratively interest|Interest, especially in a selective area

#:a bit of local colour

1. tincture: Any of the standard dark tinctures used in a coat of arms, including azure, gules, sable, and vert. Contrast with metal.
2. in plural A standard or banner.

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

1. The system of colour television.

#:This film is broadcast in colour.

1. in plural An award for sporting achievement, particularly within a school or university.

#:''He was awarded colours for his football.

1. physics A property of quarks, with three values called red, green, and blue, which they can exchange by passing gluons.

Derived terms
colour code
coloured
colourful
colourless
colours
true colours
colour-blind

Related terms
colorimeter
colourise
colorize<!-- you might expect only ou and s go together but this is just as common! -->
discoloration

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

color-colour (noun)

Verb
en-verb CE

1. transitive To give something colour.

#: We could colour the walls red.

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

#: My son loves to colour.

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

#: ''Her face coloured as she realised her mistake.

1. transitive To affect without completely changing.

#: That interpretation certainly colours my perception of the book.

1. colloquial To attribute a quality to.

#: Colour me confused.

Synonyms
(give something colour): dye, paint, shade, tinge, tint
(apply colours within boundaries of a line drawing):<!--can this be used intransitively? colour in-->
(of a face, become red): blush
(affect without completely changing): affect, influence
(attribute a quality to): call

Derived terms
colour by numbers

color-colour (verb)

See also
tincture
Appendix:Colours|Appendix:Colours

Category:1000 English basic words
Category:Commonwealth English

ar:colour
de:colour
el:colour
es:colour
fr:colour
ko:colour
hy:colour
io:colour
it:colour
kk:colour
ku:colour
hu:colour
nl:colour
ja:colour
pl:colour
ru:colour
simple:colour
sr:colour
fi:colour
sv:colour
ta:colour
te:colour
th:colour
vi:colour
tr:colour
zh:colour

• 2007-11-26 13:12 - Dbfirs - /* Derived terms */

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