Colon

/ˈkəʊ.lən/ · noun

Meaning

The punctuation mark ⟨:⟩..

Definitions by Sense

1. The punctuation mark ⟨:⟩.
2. (rare) The triangular colon (especially in context of not being able to type the actual triangular colon).
3. (rhetoric) A rhetorical figure consisting of a clause which is grammatically, but not logically, complete.
4. (palaeography) A clause or group of clauses written as a line, or taken as a standard of measure in ancient manuscripts or texts.
5. (anatomy) Part of the large intestine; the final segment of the digestive system, after (distal to) the ileum and before (proximal to) the rectum. (Because the colon is the largest part of the large intestine (constituting most of it), it is often treated as synonymous therewith in broad or casual usage.)
6. (obsolete) A husbandman.
7. A European colonial settler, especially in a French colony.

Example Sentences

A colon tells the reader that what follows is closely related to the preceding clause.

Colorectal cancer refers to colon cancer, which starts in the colon, and rectal cancer, which starts in the rectum.

The reaction of the European colons, a mixture of shock and fear, was to demand further draconian measures and to suspend any suggestion of new reforms.

Synonyms for colon

Antonyms for colon

Related Words

Word Forms

• colons
• cola
• coli
• colone

Usage Notes

Choose a synonym only when it preserves the intended meaning, tone, and grammar of the full sentence.

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