colon
1
[ koh-luh n ]
/ ˈkoʊ lən /
noun, plural co·lons for 1, co·la [koh-luh] /ˈkoʊ lə/ for 2.
the sign (:) used to mark a major division in a sentence, to indicate that what follows is an elaboration, summation, implication, etc., of what precedes; or to separate groups of numbers referring to different things, as hours from minutes in 5:30; or the members of a ratio or proportion, as in 1 : 2 = 3 : 6.
Classical Prosody.
one of the members or sections of a rhythmical period, consisting of a sequence of from two to six feet united under a principal ictus or beat.
Origin of colon
1
1580–90; < Latin < Greek
kôlon limb, member, clause
Words nearby colon
colombes,
colombia,
colombian,
colombian gold,
colombo,
colon,
colon bacillus,
colonalgia,
colonel,
colonel blimp,
colonelcy
Definition for colon (2 of 5)
colon
2
[ koh-luh n ]
/ ˈkoʊ lən /
noun, plural co·lons, co·la [koh-luh] /ˈkoʊ lə/.
Anatomy.
the part of the large intestine extending from the cecum to the rectum.
Zoology.
the portion of the digestive tract that is posterior to the stomach or gizzard and extends to the rectum.
Origin of colon
2
1350–1400; Middle English < Latin < Greek
kólon large intestine
Definition for colon (3 of 5)
colon
3
[ koh-lohn; Spanish kaw-lawn ]
/ koʊˈloʊn; Spanish kɔˈlɔn /
noun, plural co·lons, Spanish co·lo·nes [kaw-law-nes] /kɔˈlɔ nɛs/.
the paper monetary unit of El Salvador, equal to 100 centavos. Abbreviation: C.
a cupronickel or steel coin and monetary unit of Costa Rica, equal to 100 centimos.
Origin of colon
3
1890–95; < American Spanish, after (
Cristobal)
Colón (Christopher) Columbus
Definition for colon (4 of 5)
colon
4
[ koh-lon, kuh-lon ]
/ ˈkoʊ lɒn, kəˈlɒn /
noun
a colonial farmer or plantation owner, especially in Algeria.
Origin of colon
4
1600–10, in sense “husbandmen”; 1955–60 in present sense; < French < Latin
colōnus colonist
Definition for colon (5 of 5)
Colón
[ koh-lon; Spanish kaw-lawn ]
/ koʊˈlɒn; Spanish kɔˈlɔn /
noun
a seaport in Panama at the Atlantic end of the Panama Canal.
Example sentences from the Web for colon
British Dictionary definitions for colon (1 of 5)
colon
1
/ (ˈkəʊlən) /
noun
plural -lons
the punctuation mark :, usually preceding an explanation or an example of what has gone before, a list, or an extended quotation
plural -lons
this mark used for certain other purposes, such as expressions of time, as in 2:45 p.m., or when a ratio is given in figures, as in 5:3
plural -la (-lə)
(in classical prosody) a part of a rhythmic period with two to six feet and one principal accent or ictus
Word Origin for colon
C16: from Latin, from Greek
kōlon limb, hence part of a strophe, clause of a sentence
British Dictionary definitions for colon (2 of 5)
colon
2
/ (ˈkəʊlən) /
noun plural -lons or -la (-lə)
the part of the large intestine between the caecum and the rectum
Word Origin for colon
C16: from Latin: large intestine, from Greek
kolon
British Dictionary definitions for colon (3 of 5)
colon
3
/ (kəˈlɒn, French kɔlɔ̃) /
noun
a colonial farmer or plantation owner, esp in a French colony
Word Origin for colon
French: colonist, from Latin
colōnus, from
colere to till, inhabit
British Dictionary definitions for colon (4 of 5)
colón
/ (kəʊˈləʊn, Spanish koˈlon) /
noun plural -lons or -lones (Spanish -ˈlones)
the standard monetary unit of Costa Rica, divided into 100 céntimos
the former standard monetary unit of El Salvador, divided into 100 centavos; replaced by the US dollar in 2001
Word Origin for colón
C19: American Spanish, from Spanish, after Cristóbal
Colón Christopher Columbus
British Dictionary definitions for colon (5 of 5)
Colón
/ (kɒˈlɒn, Spanish koˈlɔn) /
noun
a port in Panama, at the Caribbean entrance to the Panama Canal. Chief Caribbean port. Pop: 157 000 (2005 est)
Former name: Aspinwall
Archipiélago de Colón (ˌartʃiˈpjelaɣo ðe) the official name of the Galápagos Islands
Medical definitions for colon
colon
[ kō′lən ]
n. pl. co•lons
The division of the large intestine extending from the cecum to the rectum.
Other words from colon
co•lon′ic (kə-lŏn′ĭk) adj.Scientific definitions for colon
colon
[ kō′lən ]
The longest part of the large intestine, extending from the cecum to the rectum. Water and electrolytes are absorbed, solidified, and prepared for elimination as feces in the colon. The colon also contains bacteria that help in the body's absorption of nutrients from digested material.
Cultural definitions for colon (1 of 2)
colon
A punctuation mark (:) used to introduce a description, an explanation, or a list. For example, “She would own only one kind of pet: a Siamese cat” and “The little boy announced that he wanted the following for his birthday: two sweaters, a new tent, and three toy cars.”