colon

co-lon · noun

imported

Definitions

noun

  1. 1.

    A punctuation mark (:) used before a list, explanation, or quotation.

  2. 2.

    (anatomy) The main part of the large intestine, from the cecum to the rectum.

Forms

plural: colons

Phrases & expressions

  • •
    colon cancer — cancer of the large intestine
  • •
    semicolon — a punctuation mark combining comma and colon

Related words

See also: intestine, punctuation, semicolon

Etymology

The punctuation sense comes from Greek kolon meaning "limb, clause" (a unit of verse). The anatomical sense comes from the same Greek word, referring to the intestine as a "limb" of the body.