Paterson J. A Dictionary of Colour - A Lexicon of the Language of Colour (анг. яз.)
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a colour
Designating something which handles colours, such as in colour television.
n colour
The particular appearance or attribute of anything visible to the eye varying
according to the wavelength of light reflected from its surface to the viewer. Colours
are seen by humans as combinations of the three primary colours. Colours are
distinguished from each other by reference to brightness, hue and saturation;
a particular hue, such as red or blue, also referred to as chromatic colour or spectral
colour; the variety of tone or quality of the music of voices or instruments; a dye
or paint or other substance whereby colour can be imparted; an appearance of
truth or semblance of something, see colourable; vividness, interestingness.
vb colour; to
To decorate with colour or colours; to add colour to; to change the colour of
something; to colour in an area or shape; to give colour to something; to change
one’s facial complexion when becoming embarrassed, stressed or angry.
a colourable, colorable
Capable of being coloured; but more often indicating plausibility or the appearance
or the semblance of truth.
n colour acupuncture
A form of colour therapy where beams of coloured light are directed onto the
acupuncture points. Also referred to as colourpuncture.
n colour adjectives
Where colours are used to describe nouns in the company of other adjectives,
in which order should they be used? We instinctively know the right order – but
what are the rules? Take the sentence: ‘my two valuable old green shiny British
racing cars’. Any other order of the descripters would sound wrong. While the
rules are not absolute the correct order appears to be as follows: 1. determiners
such as, my, your, the, some, a very 2. adjectives of number 3. adjectives of intan-
gible qualities: (awful, valuable, exciting) 4. basic adjectives relating to length,
weight, size, shape, age or temperature 5. adjectives of colour come in fifth position
6. adjectives relating to inherent characteristics often indicating material quali-
ties: (shiny, rusty) 7. adjectives of origin (classes 6. and 7. are often interchangeable)
8. adjectives of purpose, often as a compound noun or gerund (as in, racing car,
office block).
104 A DICTIONARY OF COLOUR
n colour atlas
A chart showing colours. See also colour card.
n colour balance
The relationship between different colours in juxtaposition.
n colour bar
A set of rules or a policy discriminating against people of another race, particularly
as applied by White people against Blacks.
n colour bath plug
A recently invented bath plug the liquid crystals in which go red when the bath
water is too hot, blue when it is too cold and green when it is just the right
temperature.
n colour-beginning
The particular colouring technique (such as underpainting, dead-colouring or
applying a wash) used by artists when starting a painting.
n colour-blindness
The inability to recognise or distinguish any or all of the colours red, green and
blue. Colour blindness affects males more than females in the proportion of 20
to 1. Whilst the human eye has red, blue and green cones almost all other
mammals (the exceptions are apes and Old World monkeys) have only blue and
green (or blue and yellow) cones although dolphins and whales cannot see the
colour blue. Giraffes are unable to differentiate between yellow, orange and green
and, apparently, horses, bulls, hedgehogs and mice, amongst others, cannot
distinguish colour, having no cones in the retinas of their eyes. Parrots can group
objects by reference to their colour. Total colour-blindness consists of rod vision
with the ability to see only shades of dark and light with no perception of the
colours of the spectrum. See dichromacy, trichromacy, achromatopsia and
monochromacy.
n colour box
A paint-box; a receptacle used by artists to hold paints, colours, brushes and the
like.
n colour card, colour chart
A chart showing colour samples usually of fabrics or paint.
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n colour circle
See colour wheel.
n colour code or coding
A method of indicating differences by the use of different colours in a large number
of situations. Examples include, flags used for signalling in shipping; traffic signals;
railway signalling; pavement and street markings; safety warnings on machinery
and equipment; warnings on vehicles carrying dangerous substance; directional
indications; sizes of clothes; the wiring of electrical plugs and teaching children
how to read. An interesting application has been adopted in Gwynnedd Hospital
in Wales where bracelets of different colours are worn according to whether
patients wish to speak Welsh, English or both. Using colour and colour coding
is a powerful method of enhancing memory. See also colour wires, colour
symbolism, compass colours and signal red.
n colour coder
Equipment contained in a colour television to decode colour signals.
n colour combination
The conception of a scheme for the effective combining of different colours in
design, decoration or clothing etc.
n colour combing
The technique of using combs which when applied to a surface of wet paint on
a different coloured background produce coloured patterns.
a colour conscious
Racially prejudiced, a euphemism. See colour prejudice.
n colour constancy
The phenomenon where, irrespective of the kind or colour of light directed onto
a surface, the human eye is able to determine the correct colour
of that surface.
n colour contrast
The phenomenon of colour appearing to vary according to
the colour surrounding it.
adjective a
adverb adv
a colour c
noun n
prefix pr
suffix su
verb vb
106 A DICTIONARY OF COLOUR
a colour co-ordinated
Particularly as regards clothing and home furnishings, all aspects effectively
combining or harmonising in accordance with a colour scheme or plan.
n colour correction
The alteration of colours in digital images or in the printing process to produce
a more representative picture. See RGB.
n colour depth
Indicates the number of different colours capable of being picked up by a digital
camera.
n colour difference signals
Television codes used for colour transmission.
n colour dreams
Dreams viewed in colour as opposed to black and white.
n colour dynamics
The concept of the movement of colours. Charles Henry in his Cercle Chromatique
in 1889 regarded red as moving upwards, blue as moving to the left and yellow
as moving to the right. Colours have often been employed as an indication of
direction (North, South, East and West) particularly in Mexico although without
any degree of uniformity. See also colour symbolism and compass colours.
a coloured
Having or possessing colour. The term ‘coloured’ used to describe people of
African or Asian descent is offensive and politically incorrect. Although there
remains uncertainty as to the correct terminology, the word ‘Black’ is used
extensively in the UK. The preferred term in the USA for people of Negroid origin
is ‘Afro-American’, the words ‘Negro’ and ‘black’ being no longer acceptable.
See dark-skinned.
n coloured gems
The process by which light is absorbed and refracted within the particular structure
of any gemstone is complex. The colour manifested is also effected by the metal
content of the mineral. Hence iron creates red, blue, green and yellow; titanium
and iron give rise to the blue of sapphires; copper produces the green and blue
of turquoise and chromium produces the red of the ruby and the green of emeralds.
See also alexandrite, labrador blue, lapis lazuli, opal and sapphire. See diamond
colours.
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n coloured hat problem 1
There are many mathematical/logic problems which depend on the colour of hats.
There follows one soluble and one possibly insoluble example. Four subjects each
wear either a white or a red hat. One faces a brick wall. The other three also face
the brick wall but on the other side and one behind the other. The last in line,
no. 1, can see 2 and 3, 2 can see 3 but none of them can see 4 who is behind the
wall. None of them can see his own hat. The subjects are merely told that each
of the four is intelligent and that only two white and two red hats have been
distributed. The puzzle is to determine who should be the first subject to work
out the colour of his own hat. See solution to coloured hat problem. See also
Green-hat thinking.
n coloured hat problem 2
The following problem, attributed to Dr Todd Ebert at the University of California
at Irvine, has become a celebrated and important puzzle for mathematicians
researching coding theory which has application both in telecommunications and
computer science. Three players each have a red or a blue hat placed on his head
– the colour being determined by the flip of a coin. Each player can see the others’
hats but not his own. Players are allowed only to discuss their strategy at the outset
but cannot otherwise communicate with each other. The task is for them simul-
taneously to guess the colour of their own hat or alternatively, to pass. If at least
one of them guesses correctly and none of them guesses incorrectly then the team
will win a large money prize. The basic problem is to find the best strategy for
winning taking into account that the game can be played with any number of players
in the team. There are apparently many strategies which vary depending on the
number of participants.
n coloured plastic
A kind of polymer with special characteristics including molecules which are not
rigid and which can therefore conduct electricity. The result (as discovered by
Professor Ifor Samuel of the University of St Andrews) is that such plastic can
generate light of various colours according to the core of the particular molecule.
Plastics of this kind are likely to have numerous practical applications.
n coloured strobe therapy
The treatment of many conditions such as depression, phobias, dyslexia, epilepsy
and strokes by use of colour strobes. See also colour therapy.
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n coloured wires
The current in electrical cables and wiring is carried to the appliance by the live
wire which is indicated in the EU by a brown or red sleeve.The neutral wire (blue
or black sleeve) carries the energy onwards. The earth wire which carries the
current to ‘earth’ is housed in a yellow or green sleeve.
n coloured words
A system for teaching grammar using different colours to indicate different parts
of speech.
n Coloureds
The classification given by South Africa to racially mixed groupings under
apartheid.
n coloureds
Those bits of laundry which must be washed separately from white items (the
whites) to avoid colour run.
a colour-enhancing
Bringing out the natural colour as in ‘colour-enhancing shampoos’.
n colourer
A person who colours books, prints etc.
n colour-fade
The term used by manufacturers of hair-dye to indicate the rate at which dyed
hair returns to its natural colour. This is most graphically illustrated by the Organics
advert in the Summer of 2000 showing a redhead peeping inside her bikini bottom
and bearing the caption: ‘Keeps hair colour so long, you’ll forget your natural one’.
a colourfast
Usually as regards fabric which has the quality of constancy of colour and the
absence of colour running and discolouration, despite being washed or worn.
Hence, ‘colourfastness’.
n colour-field art
Paintings (such as those of Mark Rothko (1903-1970)) where the entire canvas is
covered by one or more solid blocks of colour. See also white paintings.
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n colour filter
A thin layer of coloured glass or other transparent material which limits the
transmission of certain wavelengths while allowing others to penetrate.
a colourful
Having many different colours; having bright colours; full of interest. Hence
‘colourfully’. (You might like to experiment mouthing the word ‘colourful’ to
someone of whom you are very fond in order to see how they read your lips).
n colourful language
Swearing; expressions of a vulgar kind.
n colour gamut graph
A graph which compares the range of colours which can be perceived or produced
by, for example, the human eye, colour monitors and offset-printing.
n colour gloss treatment
A semi-permanent hair dyeing process.
n colour ground
In painting, the surface on which paint is applied after it has been prepared
(possibly by the application of bole or gesso) in order to make it less absorbent
and to prevent reaction with the paint. See ground.
n colour harmony
See harmony.
n colour healing
Methods of healing by the use of colour. See Aura-Soma, chromotherapy and
colour therapy.
n colour hearing
The condition where sounds are automatically associated with
colours. Some people have the facility to associate particular
numbers with colours. See synæsthesia.
adjective a
adverb adv
a colour c
noun n
prefix pr
suffix su
verb vb
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n colour illumination therapy
A treatment used in colour therapy involving the exposure of a patient (or
sometimes part of a patient’s body) to light of different colours.
n colour index
The difference in the magnitude of stars.
n Colour Index (C.I.)
The standard reference on dyes and pigments published by the Society of Dyers
and Colorists. The C.I Name indicates the kind of dye or pigment, the hue and
the number assigned. The C.I. Number is a five digit reference number indicating
the structure of the pigment. Also the Colour Index International.
n colouring
The markings on an animal (see variegated); the colour of the human complexion;
the appearance of anything as regards its hue, shade tone etc; the application
of colour; exaggeration or false appearance. A syrup made by simmering sugar,
butter and water until it reaches a brown colour.
n colouring agent
An additive the effect of which is to produce a particular colour; the pigment or
dye itself.
n colouring book
A book with outline drawings in black and white for children to colour in with
paint or colouring pencils.
n colouring (or coloured) pencils
Pencils of different colours containing wax and used for drawing and painting.
Pencils are also available with a water-soluble ingredient contained in the lead.
n colouring power
As in ‘the colouring power of turmeric’ which is the subject of a British Standards
Institute publication.
n colouring strength
See tinting strength.
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n colour irradiation
The result of looking at a strong colour and seeing its complementary colour.
See after-image.
vb colourise; to
To add colour, in particular, to a black and white film using electronic means.
n colourist
A designer or an artist adept at using or applying colour. Titian was reputed to
be the finest with his use of vivid colours. See Titian’s Colours. Also used to
describe members of some painting schools such as the ‘Scottish Colourists’ who
were renowned at the beginning of the 20th century for their vivid use of colour.
n colour layering
A technique involving the application of multiple layers of toner employed by
colour printers to produce colour images.
a colourless
Devoid of colour; devoid of interest.
n colour-maker
Someone (usually a chemist or technologist) who devises, creates and tests new
pigments for use in making paints and dyes.
n colourman
A dealer in paint and other artists’ materials. Colourmen became established in
the 17th century as ready-made colours for artists became available. See also
reddleman.
n colour management
The craft of choosing the appropriate colours for a particular project; the use of
computer software in digital imaging for producing consistent colours over a
range of computer devices.
n colour mark-up
Art-work containing instructions to the printer as to the colours required.
n colour measuring instrument
A system for measuring colour including colorimeters and spectrophotometers.
112 A DICTIONARY OF COLOUR
n colour memory
The ability to store a particular colour in one’s memory and to retrieve it faithfully.
n Colour Museum, The
The museum in Bradford dedicated to colour and established in 1978 by the Society
of Dyers and Colorists.
n colour-music
A composition combining music and colour where different colours are displayed
by reference to the notes played, for example, by means of the colour-organ
generating colours on a screen. Oliver Messiaen (b.1908) worked on colour in music,
in Chronochromie, 1960.
n colour nouns
Colours are most oftenly used as adjectives but can also be used as nouns, as in:
‘M&S bought too much grey this year’; ‘my daughter wears only black’; ‘ Green
helps actors to relax’.
n colour organ
A device invented by the Dane Thomas Wilfred in the 1920’s for displaying
compositions of colour in silent concerts.
n colour party
A soldier or guard carrying the regimental or other colours such as a colour
sergeant. A party where guests are invited to arrive wearing items of clothing
each having a different colour with a view to swapping them so as to be able to
return home with apparel of only one colour.
n colour photography
One of many methods of producing coloured images on paper or film.
n colour plate
A colour print made from a plate; the plate itself.
n colourpoint
A cross between a Siamese and a Persian cat.
n colour prejudice
An illogical antipathy or opposition on the part of a person to persons having a
different coloured skin often resulting in unfair treatment such as a colour bar.