colorable 
colorable, colourable (kul'or-a-bl), . [< color, 
nilour, + -able, after ]A*. totofabufa, chromatic 
(in music), < L. i-olornn-, color: see color, r.] 
1. Capable of being colored ; capable of being 
dyod, painted, tinged, orstained. 2. Specious; 
plausible; giving an appearance of right, fair- 
ness, or fitness, especially a false appearanr. : 
as, a cotiiriililf pretext; a colorable excuse. 
Aiuont; the many cnrioiiH objections which liave ap- 
peared against the pto|M)sed i on-tjliitioii, the most ex- 
traordinary and the least colourable is d. -rived from the 
want of Home provision respecting the debts due to the 
I nited States. A. llaiiiiltwi, Federalist, No. 84. 
K.very one hasU>ne<l to urge some former service or 
some present necessity as a ralurubl? plea fur obtaining a 
grant of some of the suppressed lands. 
/. it Israeli, Amen, of Lit., I. Mi-.'. 
His wives the deadly-lively sort of ladies whose por- 
traits are, if not a justification, at least a cul"<<<>-/. on , L 
sion for understanding the readiness with which he [Henry 
VIII.] put them away. 
MwWw, Medieval ami Modern Hist., p. 247. 
-Syn. 2. X/wn'otw, Plauxitit' 1 , ete. See ottenrible. 
colorableness, colourableness (kul'or-a-bl- 
nes), . Speciousuess; plausibleness. 
colorably, colourably (kul'or-a-bli), adi: Spe- 
ciously; plausibly. 
Elisha's servant, Gehazi, a bribing brother, he came 
colorably to N'aaman the Syrian. 
iMtiiiiff, il .Sermon bef. Edw. VI., 1650. 
Colorado beetle. See bet-Hi -. 
coloradoite (kol-o-rii'do-it), . [< Colorado 
(see def . ) + -ite'A] ' A native tellurid of mercury, 
a rare metallic mineral, found in Colorado. 
colorant (kul'or-ant), n. [< L. eoloran(t-)s, ppr. 
of colorare, color: see color, v.~\ A coloring 
matter. 
This wonderful colorant [rosanfline] may be constituted 
by the action of almost any of the oxidizing agents known 
in chemistry upon aniline. Pop. Sci. Mo., XXV. 207. 
colorate (kul'or-at), a. [< L. coloratug, pp. of 
colorare, color: see color, v.] Colored; dyed 
or tinged with some color. [Rare.] 
Had the tunicles and humours of the eye been colorate. 
Ray, Works of Creation, II. 
coloration (kul-o-ra'shon), n. [= F. coloration 
= Sp. coloracion = It. cblorazione, < L. as if *co- 
loratio(n-), < colorare, pp. coloratug, color: see 
color, v.~\ 1. The artor practice of coloring, or 
the state of being colored ; a coloring. 
The most serious objection to the increase of the aper- 
ture of object-glasses was the coloration of the image pro- 
duced. Whewell. 
2. Specifically, the special character or ap- 
pearance of the colors and colored marks on a 
surface ; an arrangement of colors. 
The slender whip-snakes are rendered almost invisible 
as they glide among the foliage by a similar coloration. 
A. R. Wallace, Nat. Select, p. 54. 
colorational (kul-o-ra'shon-al), a. [< colora- 
tion + -al.] Of, pertaining to, or dependent 
on color : as, colorational changes. 
colorature (kul'or-a-tur), n. [= G. coloraturen 
= Dan. koloratur, <. Yt. coloratura, < LL. as if 
"coloratura (cf. colorabilis: see colorable), < L. 
colorare, pp. coloratus, color: see color, v.~\ A 
general term for runs, trills, and other florid 
decorations in vocal music, in which single syl- 
lables of the words are to be sung to two or 
more tones. Also called coloring. 
color-bearer (kul'or-bar'er), . One who 
bears a flag ; an officer or a soldier who carries 
the colors. 
color-blind (kul'or-blind), a. and n. I. a. In- 
capable of perceiving certain colors. See color- 
blindness. 
Some men are verse-deaf as others are color-blind. 
Lowell, Study Windows, p. 273. 
II. . One who is incapable of accurately 
distinguishing colors, or certain colors; such 
persons collectively. 
Another engineer had by some oversight not been test- 
ed in hfsdlvislon, and this led to his examination and . . . 
conviction by the writer as a color-blind. 
Pop. Sci. Mo., XXVI. 438. 
color-blindness (kul'or-blind*'nes), n. Incapa- 
city for perceiving colors, independent of the 
capacity for distinguishing light and shade, and 
form. It is not a mere incapacity for distinguishing 
colors (for this might be due to want of training), but an 
absence or great weakness of the sensations upon which the 
power of distinguishing colors must be founded. Color- 
blindness may be total, that is, the absence of all per- 
ception of colors as such, Independently of light and shade, 
all colors appearing simply as shades; or partial, the en- 
tire or partial inability to distinguish particular colors 
independently of difference of light and shade. The most 
common form of the latter defect is the Inability to per- 
ceive red as a distinct color, red objects being confounded 
with gray or green, and next in frequency Is the Inability 
to perceive green. The color which to a normal eye Is 
complementary to the defective color appears as gray ; 
and a mixture of white and black (gray) of the proper 
luminosity certainly cannot be distinguished by the color- 
1111 
blind from the defective color (red or green). The reraltf 
of statistical Inquiries as to the prevalence of color-blind- 
ness show Its existence in from 2 to 6 per cent of males, 
while among women the number of caaes aeenis to be 
'on idenibly under 1 per cent. Also called daltonism and 
aclt roiiui toftxia. 
color-box (kul'or-boks), n. 1. A portable box 
for holding artists' colors, brushes, etc. 2. 
An instrument, invented by Maxwell, for mix- 
ing the light of any three portions of the spec- 
trum in any required proportions. 
color-chart (kuror-chart). n. A variously col- 
ored surface with'lines of reference to facilitate 
the identification of colors. 
color-circle (kul'or-Her'kl), n. An arrange- 
ment of the hues red, orange, yellow, green, 
blue, violet, and purple, in this order, about the 
circumference of a circle. 
color-combination (kuror-kom-bi-na'shon), n. 
A juxtaposition of colors. 
color-comparator (kul'or-kom'pa-ra-tor), . 
An apparatus used in comparing tints of the 
same color. 
color-cone (kul'or-kon), n. A regular arrange- 
ment of colors in a cone, the vertex being black, 
the axis gray, every circumference a color-cir- 
cle, and the intermediate parts intermediate in 
color. 
color-contrast (kul'or-kon'trast), '. A con- 
trast of colors. 
color-cylinder (kul'or-sil'in-der), H. A regu- 
lar arrangement of colors in a cylinder, on the 
same principle as in the color-cone. 
color-diagram (kul'or-di'a-grara), n. A dia- 
gram in which the colors are laid down upon an 
exact system. Newton's color-diagram, a plane 
diagram in which any four points are chosen arbitrarily 
to represent any four colors, and the other points In the 
plane represent the other colors, In such a manner that 
the colors produced by the mixture of any two colors lie 
invariably on one right line. 
color-doctor (kul'qr-dok'tor), n. In calico- 
/ 1 fin tin ;i. a ruler or olade having a slight recip- 
rocating motion, placed in contact with the en- 
graved roll to distribute the coloring material. 
colored, coloured (kul'ord), p. a. [< color, col- 
our, + -e<P.~\ 1. Having a color ; dyed; tinged; 
painted or stained. 2. Having a distinguish- 
ing hue. (a) Having some other hue than white or 
black, especially a bright or vivid hue, as red, purple, 
blue, etc. : as, a colored ribbon. 
Several fragments of gold, colour'd silk, and linen were 
also found, the relics of the regal dress in which it was 
customary ... to inter kings. Fairholt, I. 62, note. 
Take ray colour'd hat and cloak. Shale. , T. of the S. , 1. 1. 
b) III but., of any hue but green : as, a colored leaf. (<) 
Having a dark or black color of the skin ; black or mu- 
latto ; specifically, in the United States, belonging wholly 
or partly to the African race ; having or partaking of the 
color of the negro. In census-tables, etc., the term is 
often used to include Indians, Chinese, etc. 
What practical security has the colored citizen for his 
right [of suffrage]? N. A. Ree., CXXVI. 387. 
Hence (d) Of or pertaining to the negroes, or to persons 
partly of negro origin : as, the colored vote. 
3. Having a specious appearance ; deceptive : 
as, a colored statement Colored glass. Seeglati. 
Colored light, a mixture of a nitrate or chlorate with 
charcoal and sulphur, or other ingredients that bum with 
a bright-colored flame, used for night-signals and military 
and pyrotechnic purposes. The salts chiefly used to give 
colored flames are barium chlorate, which imparts a green 
color ; strontium nitrate, red ; sodium chloric! or nitrate, 
yellow ; potassium chlorid or nitrate, violet. 
color-equation (kul'or-e-kwa'zhon), n. An 
equation in which the different terms added to- 
gether represent lights which impinge simul- 
taneously upon the retina, and in which the 
sign of equality implies the exact matching of 
the colors of the light on the two sides. 
colorer, colourer (kul'or-er), n. One who uses 
colors : as, painters an3 colorcrs. [Often used 
with a suggestion of merely mechanical work.] 
color-guard (kul'or-gard), n. In the United 
States army, a guard attached to each infantry 
battalion, having charge of the national and 
regimental colors. It is composed of a color-sergeant 
and seven corporals, who are selected for this service from 
the men most distinguished for courage, and for precision 
under arms and In marching. The color-sergeant carries 
the national colors. In the American civil war each regi- 
ment carried a national flag and a State Hag, the latter 
usually borne by a corporal. 
colorific (kul-o-rif'ik), a. [= F. colorifique = 
Pg. It. colorijfico, < L. color, color, + -ficus, < 
facere, make.] 1. Having the quality of pro- 
ducing colors, dyes, or hues -.able to give color 
or tint to other bodies. 2. Pertaining to color 
or color-sensations. 
The several rays do not suffer any change In their col- 
orijic qualities. Sir /. Newton, Opticks. 
The refrangibility of calorific rays cannot extend much 
beyond that of colorific linht. 
1C. Ilertchel, quoted in Smithsonian Rep., isso, p. 568. 
i 
color-line 
Colorific Intensity, th<- chroma of a color-sensation, or 
rt me from a neutral tint. 
colorimeter (kul-o-rim'e-ter), n. [= F. colon- 
in' if. ' I,. ro/or,"color, + mi train, measure.] 
An instrument for determining the strength of 
colors, especially of dyes, it consists essentially of 
two glass tubes of the. same size, placed side by side on a 
stand. They are almnt half an inch in diameter and l'i 
inches high, and graduated. A standard solution of the 
color H phteed in one lulu-, and In tlie other In placed a 
solution of the sample to tie t- n tt .1 To the darker solu- 
tion nioiixh water is added to hrnin li'itli volutions to the 
name depth "f eolor. and from thi.i is calculated the 
strength of the tested sample. 
colorimetric (kul'o-ri-met'rik), . [< colorimo- 
try + -<.] Of or' pertaining to the colorini'-- 
ter orcolorimetry. 
COlorimetry (kul-o-rirn'e-tri), . [As colorime- 
ter + -y 3 .] Tlie ili-ti-rmiiiutioii of the strength 
of colors, especially of dyes, by means of a col- 
orimeter. 
colorine (kul'or-in), . [< color + -i<-.] A 
dry alcoholic extract of madder, consisting es- 
sentially of alizarin, purpurin, fatty mat NT, 
a ml oilier substances soluble in alcohol, present 
in garancine. 
coloring, colouring (kul'or-ing), n. [Verbal n. 
of color, colour, r7] 1. the act or art of ap- 
plying or combining colors, as in painting. 
2. A combination of color; tints or hues col- 
lectively; effect of a combination of tints, as 
in a picture or natural landscape. 
The clouds that gather round the setting sun 
Do take a sober colouring from an eye 
That hath kept watch o'er man's mortality. 
Wortlniciirth, Immortality, st. 10. 
3. A particular use of color, or style of combin- 
ing colors, as in the work of an artist. 
They who propose to themselves in the training of an 
artist that he should unite the colauritvj of Tintoret, the 
finish of Albert Durer. and the tenderness of Corrrggio. 
Ktulcin, Modern Painters, III. III. I 26. 
4. A peculiar character or indefinable tone 
analogous to the effect of a general hue or tint, 
or of the combination of colors in a paint ing : 
said especially of tendency or style in writing 
or speaking. 
The Caatilian poet has successfully given to what he 
adopted the coloring of his own national manners. 
Tidnwr, Span. Lit, I. 74. 
5. A specious appearance ; pretense ; show : 
as, the story has a coloring of truth. 
The usurpations of the legislature might be so flagrant 
and so sudden as to admit of no specious coluurini. 
A. Hamilton, Federalist, Xo. 4!>. 
6. In music, same as colorature. 7. The com- 
mercial name for a preparation of caramel used 
to color soups and gravies. See caranu!, 1. 
Bronze coloring. See Tirana. 
colorisht, colourisht (kul'or-ish), r. t. [< OF. 
coloriss-, stem of certain parts of colorir, cou- 
lorir, F. colorier (= Sp. Pg. colorir = It. colohre), 
color, paint, adorn, a var. of OF. and F. colorer : 
see color, v., and -wfti.] To color; paint; re- 
new the color of. 
Would truth dispense, we could be content, with Plato, 
that knowledge were but remembrance, that intellectual 
acquisition were but reminiscential evocation, and new 
impressions but the colourishing of old stamps which stood 
pale in the soul before. 
Sir T. Browne, Vulg. Err., To the Reader. 
colorist, colourist (kul'or-ist), n. [= F. color- 
iste (> D. Dan. kolorist = G. colorist) = Sp. Pg. 
It. color ifitu, < ML. coloruta, < L. color, color: see 
color, n., and -tot.] One who colors ; a paint- 
er; especially, when used absolutely, a painter 
whose works are notable for beauty of color. 
The great colourisU of former times. 
Malone, Sir J. Reynolds. 
color-lake (kul'or-lak), n. See lake. 
The Leautiftil red combination of alizarin with alumina 
is generally known as a colour-lake and not as a colouring 
matter proper. BenedM, Coal-tar Colours (trans.), p. 20. 
colorless, colourless (kul'or-les), a. [< color, 
colour, + -less.] Destitute of color; not dis- 
tinguished by any hue; transparent, blanched, 
or entirely white : as, colorless water, glass, or 
gas ; colorless cheeks or hair. 
Light reflected merely from the outer surface of bodies 
Is in general colourless. Spottinwoodc, Polarisation, p. 15. 
colorlessness, colourlessness (kul'or-les-nes), 
n. The state or condition of being without 
color or distinctive hue. 
color-line (kul'or-lin), n. 1. In the United 
States, the social or political line of demarka- 
t ion between the white or dominant class and 
persons of pure or mixed African descent. 2. 
pi. In seal-engraving, and in heraldic work in 
Mack and white, fine parallel lines engraved 
upon the field for the conventional expression 
of heraldic colors. 
