n. Objectively, that quality of a thing or appearance which is perceived by the eye alone, independently of the form of the thing; subjectively, a sensation, or the class of sensations, peculiar to the organ of vision, and arising from stimulation of the optic nerve.n. In painting: The general effect of all the hues entering into the composition of a picture.n. An effect of brilliancy combined with harmony: said either of a work in different colors or of a work in monochrome, or of an engraving: as, the picture has no color; the engraving is full of color.n. Any distinguishing hue, or the condition of having a distinguishing hue—that is, a hue different from that which prevails among objects of the kind concerned, whether the prevailing hue be positive, as green, or neutral or negative, as white or black; hence, in a picture or view, or in a fabric or other material dyed or painted, any hue, especially a pure tint (often implying a vivid one), other than black and white; in human beings, from the standpoint of the white races, a hue or complexion other than white, and especially black; in botany, any hue except green. See colored, 2.n. The natural hue of the face; a red or reddish tint; flush; blush; complexion in general.n. That which is used for coloring; a pigment; paint.n. plural A flag, ensign, or standard, such as is borne in a military body, or by a ship: so called from being usually marked by a particular combination of colors: sometimes used as a singular noun. See flag.n. A distinctive marking by color or colors, as of a badge or dress; specially colored insignia; hence, any symbol or mark of identification: as, the colors of a party; the colors of a boxer; the colors of a rider or an owner in a horserace.n. An ornament of style.n. Kind; sort; variety; character; description.n. Appearance; aspect.n. That which serves to hide the real character of something and give a false appearance; mere appearance; false show; pretense; guise.n. Reason; ground; especially, good reason; excuse.n. An apparent or prima facie right, pretext, or ground: especially used in legal phraseology, and commonly implying falsity or some defect of strict right: as, to extort money under color of office; to hold possession under color of title.n. In mining, a particle or scale of gold, as shown when auriferous gravel or sand is panned or washed out with the batea or horn-spoon.n. In phrenology, one of the perceptive faculties, its supposed function being that of giving the power of perceiving colors or of distinguishing their shades.n. In heraldry See tincture.n. Animation; vividness.n. In music: The various rhythmic, melodic, or harmonic characteristics in a composition which constitute its individuality, as variations in rhythm, melodic decorations or figures, intentional discords, etc. The use of the term is traceable to the early use of colored lines to assist in the interpretation of the neumæ, and also of colored notes and other signs in the mensural-music.n. The timbre or quality of a musical tone. See timbre.n. Redness of the complexion.n. A general system of light and shadow upon which the modeling and tinting of details is executed; chiaroscuro.n. Distinct characteristics, peculiarities, or individuality: said of a place, a country, a period, etc.n. Hence— Analogous characteristics in a literary composition.n. The colors red, yellow, and blue, from the mixture of which it was erroneously supposed (from the facts of the mechanical mixture of pigments) all other colors could be produced.n. The red, green, and violet light of the spectrum, from the mixture of which all other colors can be produced. Also called fundamental colors.n. Any very brilliant or decided color.n. In painting, color in which each hue is lighted or shaded only with a modification of itself, and not with a totally different hue. Thus, a brick wall painted in pure color will be red in both sunlight and shadow, as distinguished from a representation of such a wall as red in the sun, and blue, gray, or brown in the shade.n. A painting done in such pigments.n. Synonyms Shade, Tint, etc. See hue.n. Plea, pretext, semblance, disguise.To give or apply a color to; change or alter the color or hue of; dye; tinge; paint; stain.Figuratively— To cause to appear different from the reality; give a specious appearance to; set in a fair light; palliate; excuse; make plausible.To give a special character or distinguishing quality to, analogous to color in a material object.To become red in the face; flush; blush: as, he colored from bashfulness: often followed by up.n. plural In faro, a system of play by which the cards bet upon are selected according to the color of the first winner or first loser.n. plural The commission of ensign in the British military service; usually a pair of colours.n. In calico-printing, any mordant or pigment that is printed on cloth, made into a paste by means of some thickening substance, as starch, gum, etc.n. Color which has no reflections.
