color

col•or

[[t]ˈkʌl ər[/t]] n.

1) opt the quality of an object or substance with respect to light reflected by it, usu. determined visually by measurement of hue, saturation, and brightness of the reflected light; saturation or chroma; hue

2) the natural hue of the skin, esp. of the face; complexion

3) a ruddy complexion, usu. indicating good health

4) a blush

5) vivid or distinctive quality, as of a literary work

6) details in description, customs, speech, habits, etc., of a place or period:

a novel about the Pilgrims with much local color[/ex]

7) something that is used for coloring; pigment; dye

8) sbz spo background information, as anecdotes or analyses of strategy, given by a sportscaster during a broadcast

9) colors

a) a colored badge, ribbon, or uniform worn or displayed to signify allegiance, membership, etc

b) viewpoint or attitude; character; personality:

to show one's true colors under stress[/ex]

c) a flag, ensign, etc., particularly the national flag

10) pan skin tone other than white as an indicator of racial or ethnic affiliation:

Persons of color had been denied their civil rights[/ex]

11) outward appearance or aspect; guise or show:

a lie that had the color of truth[/ex]

12) a pretext:

a mean trick under the color of a good deed[/ex]

13) law Law. an apparent or evident right:

holding possession under color of title[/ex]

14) mad tonal shading and timbre in music

15) mir a trace or particle of valuable mineral, esp. gold, as shown by washing auriferous gravel

16) phs a theoretical property that distinguishes the various states in which quarks exist

17) involving, utilizing, yielding, or possessing color:

a color TV[/ex]

18) to give or apply color to; tinge; paint; dye

19) to cause to appear different from the reality:

She colored her account[/ex]

20) to give a special character or quality to:

The author's animosities color his writing[/ex]

21) to take on or change color

22) to flush; blush

•

- change color

Etymology: 1250–1300; MEcol(e)ur< AF < L colōrem, acc. of color col′or•er, n. usage: See -or .