colon

I

co•lon

[[t]ˈkoʊ lən[/t]] n. pl. -lons, -la (-lə)

1) the sign (:) used to mark a major division in a sentence to indicate that what follows is an elaboration, summation, interpretation, etc. of what precedes

2) the sign (:) used to separate groups of numbers, as hours from minutes in 5:30, or the elements of a ratio or proportion in

1:2::3:6[/ex]

3) pro (in classical prosody) one of the members or sections of a rhythmical period, consisting of a sequence of from two to six feet united under a principal ictus or beat

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Etymology: 1580–90; < L < Gk kôlon limb, member, clause II

co•lon

[[t]ˈkoʊ lən[/t]] n. pl. -lons, -la (-lə).

anat. the part of the large intestine extending from the cecum to the rectum

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Etymology: 1350–1400; ME < L < Gk kólon large intestine III

co•lon or co•lón

[[t]kəˈloʊn[/t]] n. pl. -lons, -ló•nes [[t]-ˈloʊ neɪs[/t]]

num the basic monetary unit of El Salvador and of Costa Rica

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Etymology: 1890–95; < AmerSp, after (Cristobal) Colón (Christopher) Columbus IV

co•lon

[[t]kəˈloʊn[/t]] n.

a colonial farmer or plantation owner, esp. in Algeria

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Etymology: 1955–60; < F < L colōnus; see colonus