ˈkʌlə n. & v. --n. (US color) 1 a
the sensation produced on the
eye by rays of
light when resolved as by a
prism,
selective reflection,
etc.,
into different wavelengths. b
perception of colour; a
system of colours. 2
one, or
any mixture, of the constituents into
which light can be separated as in a
spectrum or
rainbow,
sometimes including (loosely)
black and white. 3 a
colouring substance,
esp.
paint. 4 the
use of
all colours,
not only black and white, as in
photography and
television. 5 a
pigmentation of the
skin, esp. when
dark. b
this as a ground
for prejudice or
discrimination. 6 ruddiness of
complexion (a
healthy colour). 7 (in pl.)
appearance or
aspect (see things in
their true colours). 8 (in pl.) a
Brit. a
coloured ribbon or
uniform etc.
worn to
signify membership of a school,
club,
team, etc. b the flag of a
regiment or
ship. c a
national flag. 9
quality, mood, or
variety in
music,
literature,
speech, etc.;
distinctive character or
timbre. 10 a
show of
reason; a
pretext (lend colour
to;
under colour of). --v. 1 tr.
apply colour to, esp. by
painting or dyeing or
with coloured pens or pencils. 2 tr.
influence (an
attitude coloured by experience). 3 tr.
misrepresent,
exaggerate, esp. with
spurious detail (a
highly coloured account). 4 intr.
take on colour;
blush. øcolour bar the
denial of services and facilities to
non-White people. colour-blind
unable to
distinguish certain colours. colour-blindness the
condition of
being colour-blind. colour
code use of colours as a
standard means of
identification. colour-code v.tr.
identify by means of a colour code. colour-fast dyed in colours
that will not
fade or be washed
out. colour-fastness the condition of being colour-fast. colour
scheme an
arrangement or planned
combination of colours esp. in
interior design. colour-sergeant the
senior sergeant of an
infantry company. colour
supplement Brit. a
magazine with coloured illustrations, issued as a supplement to a
newspaper. colour
wash coloured distemper. colour-wash v.tr. paint with coloured distemper. Queen's (or King's or regimental) colour a flag carried by a regiment. show one's true colours reveal one's true character or intentions. under
false colours falsely, deceitfully. with
flying colours see FLYING. [ME f. OF
color, colorer f. L color, colorare]