collar (v.) — coma (n.1)

collar (v.)

1550s, "to grab (someone) by the collar or neck," from collar (n.). Meaning "to capture" is attested from 1610s. Meaning "put a collar on" is from c. 1600. Related: Collared; collaring. As a past-participle adjective, collared "wearing a collar" is from late 14c.ETD collar (v.).2

collar-bone (n.)

also collarbone, "clavicle," c. 1500, from collar (n.) + bone (n.).ETD collar-bone (n.).2

collard (n.)

variety of kale with fleshy leaves along the stem, 1755, American English, a Southern corruption of colewort (Middle English) "cabbage," later especially "kale, greens." The first element is related to the cole in cole-slaw; for second element, see wort. Related: Collards.ETD collard (n.).2

collate (v.)

1610s, "to bring together and compare, examine critically as to agreement," from Latin collatus, irregular past participle of conferre "to bring together," from assimilated form of com "with, together" (see com-) + lātus "borne, carried" (see oblate (n.)), serving as past participle of ferre "to bear" (from PIE root *bher- (1) "to carry"). Specifically, in bookbinding, "to verify the correct arrangement" (of the pages), 1770. Related: Collated; collating.ETD collate (v.).2

collation (n.)

late 14c., "act of bringing together and comparing," from Old French collation (13c.) "collation, comparison, discussion" (also "a light supper"), from Latin collationem (nominative collatio) "a bringing together, collection, comparison," noun of action from collatus, irregular past participle of conferre "to bring together" (see collate).ETD collation (n.).2

The word has had many meanings over the centuries in theology and law. It was the title of a popular 5c. religious work by John Cassian (sometimes translated into Old English as Þurhtogenes), hence the word's general sense "a compilation of lives of the Church fathers." The "light supper" sense is from the meal taken by members of a monastery at the end of the day after hearing readings from the Collation.ETD collation (n.).3

collateral (adj.)

late 14c., "accompanying, attendant" (especially as an auxiliary), also "descended from the same stock but in a different line" (distinguished from lineal), from Old French collateral (13c.), from Medieval Latin collateralis "accompanying," literally "side by side," from assimilated form of Latin com "with, together" (see com-) + lateralis "of the side," from latus "the side, flank of humans or animals, lateral surface," a word of uncertain origin.ETD collateral (adj.).2

Literal sense of "parallel, along the side of" attested in English from mid-15c. Related: Collaterally. Collateral damage is by 1873 in legal cases; in modern use, a euphemism for "the coincidental killing of civilians," an extended sense from c. 1968, American English, at first generally with reference to nuclear weapons.ETD collateral (adj.).3

collateral (n.)

"colleague, associate," 1510s, from collateral (adj.). Meaning "something of value given as security" is from 1832, American English, from phrase collateral security "property, etc., given to secure the performance of a contract" (1720), in which collateral (adj.) has the sense of "aiding or confirming in a secondary way."ETD collateral (n.).2

colleague (n.)

"an associate in office, employment, or labor," 1530s, from French collègue (16c.), from Latin collega "partner in office," from assimilated form of com "with, together" (see com-) + leg-, stem of legare "send as a deputy, send with a commission," from PIE root *leg- (1) "to collect, gather." So, "one sent or chosen to work with another," or "one chosen at the same time as another."ETD colleague (n.).2

collection (n.)

late 14c., "action of collecting, practice of gathering together," from Old French collection (14c.), from Latin collectionem (nominative collectio) "a gathering together," noun of action from past-participle stem of colligere "gather together" (see collect).ETD collection (n.).2

Especially of money gathered for religious or charitable purposes from 1530s. Meaning "a group of objects viewed as a whole" is from c. 1400; sense of "an assemblage of gathered objects" is from mid-15c. Meaning "act of receiving or compelling payment of money owed" is from 1650s.ETD collection (n.).3

collected (adj.)

"having control of one's mental faculties, self-possessed," c. 1600, past-participle adjective from collect (v.). Related: Collectedness.ETD collected (adj.).2

collectibles (n.)

also collectables, "things worth collecting," 1952, American English, from collectible.ETD collectibles (n.).2

collect (v.)

early 15c., "gather into one place or group" (transitive), from Old French collecter "to collect" (late 14c.), from Latin collectus, past participle of colligere "gather together," from assimilated form of com "together" (see com-) + legere "to gather," from PIE root *leg- (1) "to collect, gather."ETD collect (v.).2

The intransitive sense "gather together, accumulate" is attested from 1794. Related: Collected; collecting. As an adjective or adverb meaning "paid by the recipient," it is attested from 1893, originally with reference to telegrams.ETD collect (v.).3

collective (adj.)

early 15c., collectif, "comprehensive," from Old French collectif, from Latin collectivus, from collectus, past participle of colligere "gather together," from com- "together" (see com-) + legere "to gather" (from PIE root *leg- (1) "to collect, gather"). In grammar, from mid-15c., "expressing under a singular form a whole consisting of a plurality of individuals." From c. 1600 as "belonging to or exercised by a number of individuals jointly." Related: Collectively; collectiveness.ETD collective (adj.).2

Collective bargaining was coined 1891 by English sociologist and social reformer Beatrice Webb; it was defined in U.S. 1935 by the Wagner Act. Collective noun is recorded from 1510s; collective security first attested 1934 in speech by Winston Churchill.ETD collective (adj.).3

As a noun, from 1640s, "a collective noun" (singular in number but signifying an aggregate or assemblage, such as crowd, jury, society). As short for collective farm (in the USSR) it dates from 1925; collective farm itself is first attested 1919 in translations of Lenin.ETD collective (adj.).4

collectible (adj.)

also collectable, 1650s, "that may be collected," from collect + -ible. Meaning "sought-after by collectors of relics, souveniers, etc." is recorded from 1888.ETD collectible (adj.).2

collectivize (v.)

"to render collective" in a socio-political sense, 1885, from collective + -ize. Related: Collectivization.ETD collectivize (v.).2

collectivism (n.)

1880, in socialist theory, "the principle of centralization of social and economic power in the people collectively" (opposed to individualism), from collective + -ism. Related: Collectivist (1882 as both noun and adjective); collectivization (1890).ETD collectivism (n.).2

collector (n.)

late 14c., "gatherer of taxes, etc.," from Anglo-French collectour "collector" (of money or taxes; Old French collector, Modern French collecteur), from Late Latin collector, agent noun from colligere "to gather together" (see collect). Meaning "one who collects objects of interest as a pursuit or amusement" is by 1774. Fem. form collectress is attested from 1825.ETD collector (n.).2

Colleen

fem. proper name, from Irish cailin "a girl, a little girl," diminutive of caile "girl, woman."ETD Colleen.2

college (n.)

late 14c., "organized association of persons invested with certain powers and rights or engaged in some common duty or pursuit," especially "body of scholars and students within an endowed institution of learning," also "resident body of ecclesiastics supported by an endowment," from Old French college "collegiate body" (14c.) and directly from Latin collegium "community, society, guild," literally "association of collegae," plural of collega "partner in office," from assimilated form of com "with, together" (see com-) + leg-, stem of legare "to choose," from PIE root *leg- (1) "to collect, gather."ETD college (n.).2

At first, any corporate group (the general sense is preserved in U.S. electoral college, the Vatican's college of cardinals, etc.). In the academic sense, colleges operated within universities (as still at Oxford and Cambridge), but in Scotland, and later in U.S. and Canada some universities had only one college, and there college came to be used for "incorporated and endowed institution of learning of the highest grade," and eventually "any degree-giving educational institution" (c. 1800). College-widow is attested by 1878.ETD college (n.).3

collegiate (adj.)

"pertaining to or of the nature of a college," mid-15c., from Latin collegiatus "member of a college or corporation," in Medieval Latin, "of or pertaining to a college," from collegium "community, society, guild" (see college).ETD collegiate (adj.).2

collegial (adj.)

mid-14c., "pertaining to a college," from Latin collegialis, from collegium "community, society, guild," literally "association of collegae," plural of collega "partner in office," from assimilated form of com "with, together" (see com-) + leg-, stem of legare "to choose," from PIE root *leg- (1) "to collect, gather." Related: Collegially; collegiality.ETD collegial (adj.).2

collegian (n.)

"a member of a college," late 14c., from college + -ian.ETD collegian (n.).2

collet (n.)

1520s, in jewelery, "the ring or flange in which a jewel or group of jewels is set," from French collet "little collar" (13c.), diminutive of col "neck," from Latin collum "neck" (see collar (n.)). Meaning "a band or collar" is from 1560s.ETD collet (n.).2

collie (n.)

breed of dog, a kind of sheep-dog much esteemed in Scotland, 1650s, of uncertain origin. Possibly from dialectal coaly "coal-black," the color of some breeds (compare colley, "sheep with black face and legs," attested from 1793; Middle English colfox, "coal-fox," a variety of fox with tail and both ears tipped with black; and colley, Somerset dialectal name for "blackbird"). Or from Scandinavian proper name Colle, which is known to have been applied to dogs in Middle English ("Ran Colle our dogge, and Talbot, and Gerlond" [Chaucer, "Nun's Priest's Tale"]). Century Dictionary cites Gaelic cuilean, cuilein "a whelp, puppy, cub." Or perhaps it is a convergence of them. Border-collie (by 1894) was so called from being bred in the border region between Scotland and England.ETD collie (n.).2

collide (v.)

"to strike together forcibly," 1620s, from Latin collidere "strike together," from assimilated form of com "with, together" (see com-) + laedere "to strike, injure by striking," which is of unknown origin. For Latin vowel change, see acquisition. Related: Collided; colliding.ETD collide (v.).2

collier (n.)

late 14c. (late 13c. as a surname), collere "charcoal maker and seller," agent noun from Middle English col (see coal). They were notorious for cheating their customers. Meaning "digger in a coal mine" is from 1590s. Sense of "coasting-vessel for hauling coal" is from 1620s.ETD collier (n.).2

colliery (n.)

1630s, "coal mine," see collier + -y (1).ETD colliery (n.).2

colligate (v.)

"to bind or fasten together," 1540s, from Latin colligatus, past participle of colligare "to bind together," from assimilated form of com "with, together" (see com-) + ligare "to bind" (from PIE root *leig- "to tie, bind"). As a concept in logic, from 1837; in linguistics, from 1953. Related: Colligation.ETD colligate (v.).2

Collins (n.)

"iced gin drink served in a tall glass" (called a Collins glass), 1940, American English; earlier Tom Collins (by 1878), of uncertain origin. Popular in early 1940s; bartending purists at the time denied it could be based on anything but gin. The surname (12c.) is from a masc. proper name, a diminutive of Col, itself a pet form of Nicholas (compare Colin).ETD Collins (n.).2

collin (n.)

pure form of gelatin, 1848, from Greek kolla "glue," which is of uncertain origin, + chemical suffix -in (2).ETD collin (n.).2

collinear (adj.)

1863, "lying in the same straight line," from col- + linear. Earlier it meant "lying in the same plane."ETD collinear (adj.).2

collision (n.)

"act of striking or dashing together," early 15c., from Late Latin collisionem (nominative collisio) "a dashing together," noun of action from past-participle stem of Latin collidere "to strike together" (see collide).ETD collision (n.).2

collocate (v.)

"to set or place together," 1510s, from Latin collocatus, past participle of collocare "to arrange, place together, set in a place," from assimilated form of com "together" (see com-) + locare "to place," from locus "a place" (see locus). Related: collocated; collocating.ETD collocate (v.).2

collocation (n.)

mid-15c., collocacioun, "a ligament," from Old French and directly from Latin collocationem (nominative collocatio), noun of action from past participle stem of collocare "place together, set in place" (see collocate). Meaning "act of placing together; state of being placed or ordered with something else" is from c. 1600. Linguistics sense is attested from 1940.ETD collocation (n.).2

collogue (v.)

1590s (implied in colloguing) "to flatter, curry favor," a word of unknown origin; perhaps from French colloque "conference, consultation" (16c., from Latin colloqui "speak together;" see colloquy) and influenced by dialogue or colleague. Intransitive sense "to have a private understanding with, conspire, collude" is from 1640s.ETD collogue (v.).2

colloid (n.)

1854, "a substance in a gelatinous or gluey state," from French colloide (1845), from Greek kolla "glue," which is of uncertain origin, + -oeidēs "form" (see -oid). Also an adjective, "like glue or jelly."ETD colloid (n.).2

colloidal (adj.)

"pertaining to or of the nature of a colloid," 1859, from colloid + -al (1).ETD colloidal (adj.).2

colloquy (n.)

mid-15c., "a discourse," from Latin colloquium "conference, conversation," literally "a speaking together," from assimilated form of com "together" (see com-) + -loquium "speaking," from loqui "to speak" (from PIE root *tolkw- "to speak"). Meaning "conversation" is attested in English from 1580s.ETD colloquy (n.).2

colloquialize (v.)

"to make colloquial," 1846, from colloquial + -ize. Related: Colloquialized; colloquializing.ETD colloquialize (v.).2

colloquial (adj.)

1751, "pertaining to conversation," from colloquy "a conversation" + -al (1). From 1752 as "peculiar or appropriate to the language of common speech or familiar conversation," especially as distinguished from elegant or formal speech. Related: Colloquially.ETD colloquial (adj.).2

colloquialism (n.)

1810, "a colloquial word or phrase," one peculiar to the language of common conversation, from colloquial + -ism. Meaning "colloquial quality or style" is from 1818. Sometimes conversationism (1853) was used.ETD colloquialism (n.).2

colloquia (n.)

Latin plural of colloquium (q.v.).ETD colloquia (n.).2

colloquium (n.)

c. 1600, "conversation, dialogue" (a sense now obsolete), from Latin colloquium "conference, conversation," literally "a speaking together," from com- "together" (see com-) + -loquium "speaking," from loqui "to speak" (from PIE root *tolkw- "to speak"). Also as a legal term; meaning "a meeting for discussion, assembly, conference, seminar" is attested by 1844.ETD colloquium (n.).2

collude (v.)

"conspire in fraud or deception," 1520s, from Latin colludere "act collusively," literally "to play with" (see collusion). Related: Colluded; colluder; colluding.ETD collude (v.).2

collusion (n.)

"secret agreement for fraudulent or harmful purposes," late 14c., from Old French collusion and directly from Latin collusionem (nominative collusio) "act of colluding," from colludere, from assimilated form of com "with, together" (see com-) + ludere "to play" (see ludicrous). "The notion of fraud or underhandedness is essential to collusion" [Fowler].ETD collusion (n.).2

collusive (adj.)

"fraudulently or secretly done between two or more," 1670s, from Latin collus-, past participle stem of colludere (see collude) + -ive. Related: Collusively; collusiveness. Alternative adjective collusory (from Late Latin collusorius) is attested from 1706.ETD collusive (adj.).2

collywobbles (n.)

"nauseated feeling, disordered indisposition in the bowels," 1823, probably a fanciful formation from colic and wobble. Perhaps suggested by cholera morbus.ETD collywobbles (n.).2

cologne (n.)

"a distilled spirit blended with certain essential oils so as to give off a fragrant scent," by 1844, short for Cologne water (1814), loan-translation of French eau de Cologne (which also was used in English), literally "water from Cologne," from the city in Germany (German Köln, from Latin Colonia Agrippina) where it was made, first by Italian chemist Johann Maria Farina, who had settled there in 1709.ETD cologne (n.).2

The city seems to have been known in English generally by its French name in 18c. The city was founded 38 B.C.E. as Oppidum Ubiorum, renamed and made a colony in 50 C.E. at the request of emperor Claudius's wife Agrippina the Younger, who was born there. By 450 C.E. the name had been shortened to Colonia (see colony).ETD cologne (n.).3

Colombia

South American nation, independent from 1819 as part of Gran Colombia (after its breakup in 1830, known as New Granada, then Colombia from 1863); named for Italian explorer Christopher Columbus (Italian Colombo, Portuguese Colom, Spanish Colón). Related: Colombian.ETD Colombia.2

colonization (n.)

"act or process of colonizing; state of being a colony," 1758, noun of action from colonize. In U.S. history, the movement for assisted emigration of free blacks to Africa for the formation of colonies there; the American Colonization Society organized in December 1816. Hence colonizationist, one who favors colonization of emancipated slaves and free blacks to some other place (1831).ETD colonization (n.).2

colon (n.2)

"large intestine," late 14c., from Latin colon, Latinized form of Greek kolon (with a short initial -o-) "large intestine," which is of unknown origin.ETD colon (n.2).2

colonize (v.)

1620s, "to settle with colonists, plant or establish a colony in," from stem of Latin colonus "tiller of the soil, farmer" (see colony). From 1630s as "to migrate to and settle in." It is attested by 1790s in the sense of "to make another place into a national dependency" without regard for settlement there (such as in reference to French activity in Egypt or the British in India), and in this sense it is probably directly from colony.ETD colonize (v.).2

Related: Colonized; colonizing.ETD colonize (v.).3

colonic (adj.)

"pertaining to or affecting the colon," 1906, from colon (n.2) + adjectival ending -ic.ETD colonic (adj.).2

colon (n.1)

"punctuation mark consisting of two dots, one above the other, used to mark grammatical discontinuity less than that indicated by a period," 1540s, from Latin colon "part of a verse or poem," from Greek kōlon "part of a verse," literally "limb, member" (especially the leg, but also of a tree limb), also, figuratively, "a clause of a sentence," a word of uncertain etymology.ETD colon (n.1).2

The meaning evolved in modern languages from "independent clause" to the punctuation mark that sets it off. In ancient grammar a colon was one of the larger divisions of a sentence.ETD colon (n.1).3

colonel (n.)

"chief commander of a regiment of troops," 1540s, coronell, from French coronel (16c.), modified by dissimilation from Italian colonnella "commander of the column of soldiers at the head of a regiment," from compagna colonella "little column company," from Latin columna "pillar," collateral form of columen "top, summit" (from PIE root *kel- (2) "to be prominent; hill").ETD colonel (n.).2

The French spelling was reformed late 16c. The English spelling was modified in 1580s in learned writing to conform to the Italian form (via translations of Italian military manuals), and pronunciations with "r" and "l" coexisted until c. 1650, but the earlier pronunciation prevailed. Spanish and Portuguese coronel, from Italian, show similar evolution by dissimilation and perhaps by influence of corona. Abbreviation col. is attested by 1707.ETD colonel (n.).3

colony (n.)

late 14c., "ancient Roman settlement outside Italy," from Latin colonia "settled land, farm, landed estate," from colonus "husbandman, tenant farmer, settler in new land," from colere "to cultivate, to till; to inhabit; to frequent, practice, respect; tend, guard," from PIE root *kwel- (1) "revolve, move round; sojourn, dwell" (source also of Latin -cola "inhabitant"). Also used by the Romans to translate Greek apoikia "people from home."ETD colony (n.).2

In reference to modern situations, "company or body of people who migrate from their native country to cultivate and inhabit a new place while remaining subject to the mother country," attested from 1540s. Meaning "a country or district colonized" is by 1610s.ETD colony (n.).3

colonialization (n.)

1965, noun of action from colonialize "render colonial in character" (1864); see colonial + -ize. Or else a back-formation from decolonialize.ETD colonialization (n.).2

colonial (adj.)

"pertaining to or belonging to a colony," 1756, from Latin colonia (see colony) + -al (1), or directly from colony on model of baronoinal. In U.S., especially "from or characteristic of America during colonial times" (1776). The noun meaning "inhabitant of a colony, a colonist" is recorded from 1816.ETD colonial (adj.).2

colonialism (n.)

1853, "ways or speech of colonial persons," from colonial + -ism. Meaning "the system of colonial rule" is from 1884; originally not necessarily pejorative and suggestive of exploitation.ETD colonialism (n.).2

colonialist (n.)

"supporter of a colonial system," by 1850, from colonial + -ist; compare colonist.ETD colonialist (n.).2

colonise (v.)

chiefly British English spelling of colonize; see also -ize. Related: Colonised; colonising.ETD colonise (v.).2

colonisation (n.)

chiefly British English spelling of colonization; see also -ize.ETD colonisation (n.).2

colonist (n.)

1701, "colonizer, member of a colonizing expedition," from colony + -ist. Meaning "inhabitant of a colony" is from 1749.ETD colonist (n.).2

colonnade (n.)

in architecture, "a series of columns placed at certain intervals," 1718, from French colonnade, from Italian colonnato, from colonna "column," from Latin columna "pillar," collateral form of columen "top, summit," from PIE root *kel- (2) "to be prominent; hill." Also see -ade. Related: Colonnaded.ETD colonnade (n.).2

colonoscopy (n.)

by 1902 (earlier procto-colonoscopy, 1896), from colon (n.2) + -scopy. Colonoscope is attested from 1884ETD colonoscopy (n.).2

colophon (n.)

"publisher's inscription at the end of a book," 1774, from Late Latin colophon, from Greek kolophōn "summit, final touch" (from PIE root *kel- (2) "to be prominent; hill"). "In early times the colophon gave the information now given on the title page" [OED].ETD colophon (n.).2

coloring (n.)

early 15c., "action of applying color, painting, dyeing," also "way something is colored," noun of action from color (v.). Figurative use "misrepresentation, concealment" is from mid-15c. Meaning "a combination of colors, hues collectively" is from 1706. From 1762 in figurative or transferred sense "peculiar character or effect analogous to the effect of hue or tint." The children's coloring-book is from 1926.ETD coloring (n.).2

colors (n.)

"flag of a regiment or ship" 1580s, from color (n.). Hence color-guard (1820), originally the soldiers assigned to guard the colors of the regiment, color-bearer (1855), the one who carries the regimental flag, and to do something with flying colors "successfully" (1690s).ETD colors (n.).2

colorful (adj.)

1872, "full of color," from color (n.) + -ful. From 1876 in the figurative sense of "interesting." Related: Colorfully; colorfulness.ETD colorful (adj.).2

colorant (n.)

"pigment, coloring material," 1884, from French colorant; see color + -ant.ETD colorant (n.).2

coloration (n.)

"art or practice of coloring; special appearance of color or colored marks on a surface," 1620s, from French coloration (16c.), from Late Latin colorationem (nominative coloratio) "act or fact of coloring," noun of action from past participle stem of Latin colorare "to color, to get tanned," from color "color of the skin, color in general" (see color (n.)).ETD coloration (n.).2

colored (adj.)

late 14c., "having a certain color, having a distinguishing hue," also (c. 1400) "having a certain complexion," past-participle adjective from color (v.). From 1610s as "having a dark or black color of the skin;" specifically, in U.S., "being wholly or partly of African descent," though, as Century Dictionary notes (1897) "In census-tables, etc., the term is often used to include Indians, Chinese, etc."ETD colored (adj.).2

color (n.)

early 13c., "skin color, complexion," from Anglo-French culur, coulour, Old French color "color, complexion, appearance" (Modern French couleur), from Latin color "color of the skin; color in general, hue; appearance," from Old Latin colos, originally "a covering" (akin to celare "to hide, conceal"), from PIE root *kel- (1) "to cover, conceal, save." Old English words for "color" were hiw ("hue"), bleo. For sense evolution, compare Sanskrit varnah "covering, color," which is related to vrnoti "covers," and also see chroma.ETD color (n.).2

Colour was the usual English spelling from 14c., from Anglo-French. Classical correction made color an alternative from 15c., and that spelling became established in the U.S. (see -or).ETD color (n.).3

Meaning "a hue or tint, a visible color, the color of something" is from c. 1300. As "color as an inherent property of matter, that quality of a thing or appearance which is perceived by the eye alone," from late 14c. From early 14c. as "a coloring matter, pigment, dye." From mid-14c. as "kind, sort, variety, description." From late 14c. in figurative sense of "stylistic device, embellishment. From c. 1300 as "a reason or argument advanced by way of justifying, explaining, or excusing an action," hence "specious reason or argument, that which hides the real character of something" (late 14c.).ETD color (n.).4

From c. 1300 as "distinctive mark of identification" (as of a badge or insignia or livery, later of a prize-fighter, horse-rider, etc.), originally in reference to a coat of arms. Hence figurative sense as in show one's (true) colors "reveal one's opinions or intentions;" compare colors.ETD color (n.).5

In reference to "the hue of the darker (as distinguished from the 'white') varieties of mankind" [OED], attested from 1792, in people of colour, in translations from French in reference to the French colony of Saint-Domingue (modern Haiti) and there meaning "mulattoes."ETD color (n.).6

In reference to musical tone from 1590s. Color-scheme is from 1860. Color-coded is by 1943, in reference to wiring in radios and military aircraft. Color-line in reference to social and legal discrimination by race in the U.S. is from 1875, originally referring to Southern whites voting in unity and taking back control of state governments during Reconstruction (it had been called white line about a year earlier, and with more accuracy).ETD color (n.).7

color (v.)

late 14c., colouren, "to make (something) a certain color, to give or apply color to," also figurative "to use (words) to a certain effect; to make (something) appear different from reality or better than it is," from Old French culurer, colorer, and directly from Latin colorare, from color (see color (n.)). Intransitive sense "become red in the face" is from 1721. Related: Colored; coloring.ETD color (v.).2

colorable (adj.)

late 14c., "specious, giving a (false) appearance of being right to what is in fact unjustifiable," from color (n.) in the secondary sense "that which hides the real character of something" + -able.ETD colorable (adj.).2

Colorado

U.S. state (organized as a territory 1861, admitted as a state 1876), named for the river, Spanish Rio Colorado, from colorado "ruddy, reddish," literally "colored," past participle of colorar "to color, dye, paint," from Latin colorare "to color, to get tanned," from color "color of the skin, color in general" (see color (n.)).ETD Colorado.2

coloratura (n.)

"Ornamental passages, roulades, embellishments, etc., in vocal music" [Elson], 1740, from Italian coloratura, literally "coloring," from Late Latin coloratura, from past-participle stem of colorare "to color," from color (see color (n.)). Formerly sometimes Englished as colorature.ETD coloratura (n.).2

color-blindness (n.)

also colour-blindness, "incapacity for perceiving certain colors due to an absence or weakness of the sensation upon which the power of distinguishing them depends," 1844, the native word, used in England instead of French daltonisme (by 1828), after English chemist John Dalton (1766-1844), who published a description of it in 1794. From color (n.) + blindness.ETD color-blindness (n.).2

Noted as inexact (very few people who can see are blind to all color), "the term is applied with much laxity to any constitutional inability to discriminate between colours" [OED]. In figurative use, with reference to race or ethnicity, it is attested from 1866, American English. Related: color-blind (adj.), which is attested from 1854.ETD color-blindness (n.).3

colorcast (n.)

"broadcast of color television," 1949, from color (n.) + ending from broadcast.ETD colorcast (n.).2

colorectal (adj.)

"pertaining to the colon and the rectum," by 1918, from combining form of colon (n.2) + rectal.ETD colorectal (adj.).2

colorific (adj.)

"having the quality of producing colors," 1670s; see color (n.) + -ify + -ic.ETD colorific (adj.).2

colorless (adj.)

late 14c., "destitute of color," from color (n.) + -less. Figurative sense of "lacking vividness" is recorded from 1861. Related: Colorlessness.ETD colorless (adj.).2

colossal (adj.)

"of extraordinary size, huge, gigantic," 1712 (colossic in the same sense is recorded from c. 1600; colossean also was used in 17c.), from French colossal, from colosse, from Latin colossus "statue larger than life," from Greek kolossos "gigantic statue" (see colossus).ETD colossal (adj.).2

Colosseum (n.)

1560s, also formerly Coliseum, Medieval Latin name for the classical Amphitheatrum Flavium (begun c. 70 C.E.), noun use of neuter of adjective colosseus "gigantic;" perhaps a reference to the colossal statue of Nero that long stood nearby (see colossus).ETD Colosseum (n.).2

colossus (n.)

"gigantic statue," late 14c., from Latin colossus "a statue larger than life," from Greek kolossos "gigantic statue," which is of unknown origin. The Greek word was used by Herodotus of giant Egyptian statues and by Romans of the bronze Helios at the entrance to the harbor of Rhodes. Figurative sense of "any thing of awesome greatness or vastness" is from 1794.ETD colossus (n.).2

colostomy (n.)

1888, from combining form of colon (n.2) + Modern Latin -stoma "opening, orifice," from Greek stoma "opening, mouth" (see stoma). Colotomy "operation of making an incision in the colon" is attested from 1860, from Greek tome "a cutting."ETD colostomy (n.).2

colostrum (n.)

"the first milk secreted in the breasts after childbirth," 1570s, from Latin colostrum "first milk from an animal," earlier colustra, a word of unknown etymology.ETD colostrum (n.).2

colour

chiefly British English spelling of color (q.v.); for ending see -or. Related: Coloured; colouring; colourful; colourless; colours, etc.ETD colour.2

colposcopy (n.)

1940, from colpo-, Latinized combining form of Greek kolpos "womb" (used from c. 1900 in medical compounds in sense "vagina;" see gulf (n.)) + -scopy.ETD colposcopy (n.).2

colt (n.)

Old English colt "a young horse," also "young ass," in Biblical translations also used for "young camel," perhaps from Proto-Germanic *kultaz (source also of Swedish dialectal kult "young boar, piglet; boy," Danish kuld "offspring, brood") and akin to child. Commonly and distinctively applied to the male, the young female being a filly. Applied to young or inexperienced persons from early 13c.ETD colt (n.).2

The image is in Chaucer. Colts shed their first set of teeth beginning at about three years.ETD colt (n.).3

coltish (adj.)

late 14c., "wild, frisky," also in early use "lustful, lewd," from colt + -ish. Literal sense of "pertaining to a colt" is recorded from 1540s. Related: Coltishly.ETD coltish (adj.).2

columbarium (n.)

"subterranean sepulchre in ancient Roman places with niches for urns holding remains," 1540s, neuter of Latin columbarius, "dove-cote" (the funereal place so called from resemblance), literally "pertaining to doves;" from columba "dove, pigeon," a word of uncertain origin. Literal sense of "dove-cote" in English is attested from 1881.ETD columbarium (n.).2

Columbia

poetic name for United States of America, earlier for the British colonies there, 1730s, also the nation's female personification, from name of Christopher Columbus (also see Colombia) with Latin "country" ending -ia.ETD Columbia.2

A popular name for places and institutions in the U.S. in the post-Revolutionary years, when former tributes to king and crown were out of fashion: such as Columbia University (New York, U.S.) founded in 1754 as King's College; re-named 1784. Also District of Columbia (1791, as Territory of Columbia); "Hail, Columbia," Joseph Hopkinson's patriotic song that served in 19c. as an unofficial national anthem (1798); "Columbiad," Joel Barlow's attempt to write an epic for the United States (1807). Columbiad also was the name of a heavy, cast-iron, smooth-bore cannon introduced in the U.S. in 1811. Related: Columbian.ETD Columbia.3

columbine (n.)

popular name of a garden flower, c. 1300, from Old French columbine "columbine," or directly from Medieval Latin columbina, from Late Latin columbina "verbena," fem. of Latin columbinus, literally "dove-like," from columba "dove." The inverted flower supposedly resembles a cluster of five doves. Also a fem. proper name; in Italian comedy, the name of the mistress of Harlequin.ETD columbine (n.).2

Columbus

his name is Latinized from his native Italian Cristoforo Colombo, in Spanish Cristóbal Colón.ETD Columbus.2

column (n.)

mid-15c., "a pillar, long, cylindrical architectural support," also "vertical division of a page," from Old French colombe (12c., Modern French colonne "column, pillar"), from Latin columna "pillar," collateral form of columen "top, summit," from PIE root *kel- (2) "to be prominent; hill."ETD column (n.).2

In the military sense "formation of troops narrow in front and extending back" from 1670s, opposed to a line, which is extended in front and thin in depth. Sense of "matter written for a newspaper" (the contents of a column of type) dates from 1785.ETD column (n.).3

columnar (adj.)

"having the form of a column; of or pertaining to a column," 1728, from Late Latin columnaris "rising in the form of a pillar," from columna "column" (see column).ETD columnar (adj.).2

columnist (n.)

1915, "one who writes serially for publication in a newspaper or magazine," from column in the newspaper sense + -ist.ETD columnist (n.).2

com-

word-forming element usually meaning "with, together," from Latin com, archaic form of classical Latin cum "together, together with, in combination," from PIE *kom- "beside, near, by, with" (compare Old English ge-, German ge-). The prefix in Latin sometimes was used as an intensive.ETD com-.2

Before vowels and aspirates, it is reduced to co-; before -g-, it is assimilated to cog- or con-; before -l-, assimilated to col-; before -r-, assimilated to cor-; before -c-, -d-, -j-, -n-, -q-, -s-, -t-, and -v-, it is assimilated to con-, which was so frequent that it often was used as the normal form.ETD com-.3

coma (n.2)

"nebulous, hair-like envelope surrounding the head of a comet," 1765, from Latin coma, from Greek komē "hair of the head," which is of unknown origin. Earlier in English as a botanical term for a tuft of hairs (1660s). For the constellation Coma Berenices, see Berenice. Related: Comal.ETD coma (n.2).2

coma (n.1)

"state of prolonged unconsciousness," 1640s, from Latinized form of Greek kōma (genitive kōmatos) "deep sleep," which is of uncertain origin. A term for "coma" in Middle English was false sleep (late 14c.). Related: Comal.ETD coma (n.1).2