GNU Collaborative International Dictionary of English
last match results
Found one definition
-
Colony (kŏlṓny̆), n.; pl. Colonies (kŏlṓnĭz). [L. colonia, fr. colonus farmer, fr. colere to cultivate, dwell: cf. F. colonie. Cf. Culture.]
1. A company of people transplanted from their mother country to a remote province or country, and remaining subject to the jurisdiction of the parent state; as, “the British colonies in America”.
[1913 Webster]
The first settlers of New England were the best of Englishmen, well educated, devout Christians, and zealous lovers of liberty. There was never a colony formed of better materials. Ames.
[1913 Webster]
2. The district or country colonized; a settlement.
[1913 Webster]
3. a territory subject to the ruling governmental authority of another country and not a part of the ruling country.
[PJC]
4. A company of persons from the same country sojourning in a foreign city or land; as, “the American colony in Paris”.
[1913 Webster]
5. (Nat. Hist.) A number of animals or plants living or growing together, beyond their usual range.
[1913 Webster]
6. (Bot.) A cell family or group of common origin, mostly of unicellular organisms, esp. among the lower algæ. They may adhere in chains or groups, or be held together by a gelatinous envelope.
[PJC]
7. (Zool.) A cluster or aggregation of zooids of any compound animal, as in the corals, hydroids, certain tunicates, etc.
[Webster 1913 Suppl.]
8. (Zool.) A community of social insects, as ants, bees, etc.
[Webster 1913 Suppl.]
9. (Microbiology) a group of microorganisms originating as the descendants of one individual cell, growing on a gelled growth medium, as of gelatin or agar; especially, such a group that has grown to a sufficient number to be visible to the naked eye.
[PJC]