colour

[ kuhl-er ]

noun

, Chiefly British.

1. color.

colour

/ ˈkʌlə /

noun

1. 1. an attribute of things that results from the light they reflect, transmit, or emit in so far as this light causes a visual sensation that depends on its wavelengths
   2. the aspect of visual perception by which an observer recognizes this attribute
   3. the quality of the light producing this aspect of visual perception
   4. ( as modifier )

      colour vision

2. Also calledchromatic colour
   1. a colour, such as red or green, that possesses hue, as opposed to achromatic colours such as white or black
   2. ( as modifier ) Compare black-and-white

      a colour television

      a colour film

3. a substance, such as a dye, pigment, or paint, that imparts colour to something
4. 1. the skin complexion of a person, esp as determined by his race
   2. ( as modifier )

      colour problem

      colour prejudice

5. the use of all the hues in painting as distinct from composition, form, and light and shade
6. the quantity and quality of ink used in a printing process
7. the distinctive tone of a musical sound; timbre
8. vividness, authenticity, or individuality

   period colour

9. semblance or pretext (esp in the phrases take on a different colour, under colour of )
10. a precious mineral particle, esp gold, found in auriferous gravel
11. physics one of three characteristics of quarks, designated red, blue, or green, but having no relationship with the physical sensation

verb

1. to give or apply colour to (something)
2. tr to give a convincing or plausible appearance to (something, esp to that which is spoken or recounted)

   to colour an alibi

3. tr to influence or distort (something, esp a report or opinion)

   anger coloured her judgment

4. introften foll byup to become red in the face, esp when embarrassed or annoyed
5. intr (esp of ripening fruit) to change hue

Spelling Note

See -or ¹.

Other Words From

• trans·colour adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of colour¹

C13: from Old French colour from Latin color tint, hue

Example Sentences

Members of the gang are believed to wear different coloured bandana's to show their allegiance.

From BBC

Some see it as the culmination of years of France refusing to face economic reality – governments of all colours having given way to calls for ever-growing public spending.

From BBC

A prosthetic offered after mastectomy "until very recently came in either a white colour or a pale peach colour. And if you're a woman who isn't fair skinned, then that is so 'othering' for you".

From BBC

In the lawsuit, Ms Bongolan alleged that it was a "culmination of a series of threats, intimidation and violence that coloured many of Ms Bongolan’s interactions with Mr Combs from the day she met him".

From BBC

Black with an oval-shaped body, they have some similarities to modern-day whiteflies -- such as the shape and colour -- but differ in that all the segments of the body are distinctly defined by deep sutures.

From Science Daily