color

color, effect produced on the eye and its associated nerves by light waves of different wavelength or frequency. Light transmitted from an object to the eye stimulates the different color cones of the retina, thus making possible perception of various colors in the object.

See also light; painting; protective coloration; vision.

Sections in this article:

• Introduction
• The Visible Spectrum
• Apparent Color of Objects
• Properties of Colors
• Symbolic Uses of Color
• Bibliography

The Columbia Electronic Encyclopedia, 6th ed. Copyright © 2023, Columbia University Press. All rights reserved.

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