colon

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   The punctuation mark ⟨:⟩.

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

2. 2
   noun

   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.)

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

3. 3
   noun

   A European colonial settler, especially in a French colony.

   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.

4. 4
   noun

   the part of the large intestine between the cecum and the rectum

5. 5
   noun

   a punctuation mark (:) used after a word introducing a series or an example or an explanation (or after the salutation of a business letter)

6. 6
   noun

   the basic unit of money in Costa Rica

7. 7
   noun

   the basic unit of money in El Salvador

8. 8
   noun

   The triangular colon (especially in context of not being able to type the actual triangular colon).

Etymology

From Latin cōlon (“a member of a verse of poem”), from Ancient Greek κῶλον (kôlon, “a member, limb, clause, part of a verse”).