coloration
How something's tinted
Coloration is the arrangement or pattern of colors on something, especially a living thing: the distinctive coloration of a monarch butterfly, autumn coloration in the leaves.
The word often implies that colors serve a purpose—camouflage, warning, or attraction.
Coloration can also mean character or quality given to something: The report took on a political coloration.
Color's specific character
- shadeDarkness from blocked light
- tintFaint color addition
- toneQuality of sound
- saturationState of complete permeation
chroma · value · wavelength · prism · rainbow · primary · secondary · tertiary
Identifying visual features
- spotsDetects or marks
- stripesParallel linear markings
- bandsMusical performing groups
- mottlingIrregular colored patches
speckles · dappling · brindle · tortoiseshell · calico · tabby · roan · piebald
Color-imparting material
- dyePigment for changing hues
- stainLasting surface discoloration
- washClean using liquid
- paletteSurface for mixing pigments
swatch · watercolor · acrylic · gouache · tempera · pastel · paint · ink
Natural coloring compound
- pigmentationNatural tissue coloring
- carotenoidPlant-derived color compound
- chlorophyllLight-harvesting plant pigment
- hemoglobinErythrocyte's oxygen-binding protein
melanocyte · albinism · eumelanin · plumage · pelage · markings · spots · stripes
hue
Color's specific character
saturation · chroma · value · wavelength · prism · rainbow · primary · secondary · tertiary · monochromatic
markings
Identifying visual features
mottling · speckles · dappling · brindle · tortoiseshell · calico · tabby · roan · piebald · pinto
pigment
Color-imparting material
palette · swatch · watercolor · acrylic · gouache · tempera · pastel · paint · ink · tincture
melanin
Natural coloring compound
- pigmentationNatural tissue coloring
- carotenoidPlant-derived color compound
- chlorophyllLight-harvesting plant pigment
hemoglobin · melanocyte · albinism · eumelanin · plumage · pelage · markings · spots · stripes · bands
concealment
Act of hiding something
- disguiseIdentity-concealing alteration
- mimicryAdaptive resemblance to another
- crypticObscure in meaning
adaptive · disruptive · blend · matching · chameleon · octopus · cuttlefish · flounder · moth · camouflage
vivid
Intensely clear and bright
bright · radiant · fluorescent · iridescent · bold · rich · saturated · striking · vibrant · dazzling
- adaptationnatural selection, evolution, mimicry, camouflage, hibernation
- survival traitscamouflage, stamina, endurance, resilience, adaptability
- timbretimbre, quality, resonance, overtones, harmonics
- mating traitssexual selection, courtship, plumage, antlers, ornamentation
- insect anatomyabdomen, antennae, thorax, exoskeleton, head
- animal traitsfur, tail, claws, teeth, wings
colorationcolorlessness
Lack of any hue
achromatism · decoloration · lack of color · blanching · pallor
- protective colorationConcealing pigmentation for survival
- warning colorationConspicuous hues signaling unpalatability