color

noun

• 1the property possessed by an object of producing different sensations on the eye as a result of the way the object reflects or emits light:the lights flickered and changed color
• one, or any mixture, of the constituents into which light can be separated in a spectrum or rainbow, sometimes including (loosely) black and white:a rich brown color a range of bright colors
• the use of all colors, not only black, white, and gray, in photography or television:he has shot the whole film in color [as modifier]:color television
• a substance used to give something a particular color:lip color
• Heraldry any of the major conventional colors used in coats of arms (gules, vert, sable, azure, purpure), especially as opposed to the metals, furs, and stains.

• 2pigmentation of the skin, especially as an indication of someone’s race:discrimination on the basis of color
• a group of people considered as being distinguished by skin pigmentation:all colors and nationalities
• rosiness of the complexion, especially as an indication of someone’s health:there was some color back in his face

• 3vividness of visual appearance resulting from the presence of brightly colored things:for color, plant groups of winter-flowering pansies
• picturesque or exciting features that lend a particularly interesting quality to something:a town full of color and character
• variety of musical tone or expression:orchestral color

• 4 (colors) an item or items of a particular color or combination of colors worn to identify an individual or a member of a school, group, or organization.
• the flag of a regiment or ship.
• a national flag:he was called to the colors during the war

• 5a shade of meaning:many events in her past had taken on a different color
• character or general nature:the hospitable color of his family

• 6 Physics a quantized property of quarks which can take three values (designated blue, green, and red) for each flavor.

• 7 Mining a particle of gold remaining in a mining pan after most of the mud and gravel have been washed away.

verb

• 1 [with object] change the color of (something) by painting, dyeing, or shading it.
• [no object] take on a different color:the foliage will not color well if the soil is too rich
• use crayons to fill (a particular shape or outline) with color:color the head, eyes, and bill with crayons
• make vivid or picturesque:he has colored the dance with gestures from cabaret and vaudeville

• 2 [no object] (of a person or their skin) show embarrassment or shame by becoming red; blush:everyone stared at him, and he colored slightly
• [with object] cause (a person or their skin) to change in color:rage colored his pale complexion
• [with object] (of a particular color) imbue (a person’s skin):a faint pink flush colored her cheeks
• [with object] (of an emotion) imbue (a person’s voice) with a particular tone:surprise colored her voice

• 3 [with object] influence, especially in a negative way; distort:the experiences had colored her whole existence
• misrepresent by distortion or exaggeration:witnesses might color evidence to make a story saleable