ground color

[ ground kuhl-er ]

noun

1. Also called ground coat. a primary coat of paint; priming; base coat.
2. the background color, as of a painting or decoration.

Word History and Origins

Origin of ground color¹

First recorded in 1605–15

Example Sentences

The dorsal ground-color varies from orange and rusty tan to brown, yellowish tan, and pale gray.

From Project Gutenberg

In living individuals the dorsal ground color varies from pale brown to gray with dark brown or olive-brown markings.

From Project Gutenberg

In living toads the dorsal ground color was gray or grayish tan with olive green spots.

From Project Gutenberg

The dorsal ground color is pale tan; there are five pairs of irregular dark brown dorsolateral blotches.

From Project Gutenberg

Posteriorly the blotches are less distinct, fading into the uniform grayish tan ground color of the posterior part of the body.

From Project Gutenberg