Colon
/ˈkoʊ.lən/noun
The lower part of the large intestine; also a punctuation mark used to introduce a list, explanation, or quotation.
Did you know?In ancient Greek, kôlon could mean a “limb,” “member,” or a rhythmic “clause,” and that same idea of a section or segment eventually gave English both the body part and the punctuation mark.
Etymological Timeline
Ancient Greek
Greek
κῶλον (kôlon)
“A limb, member, or a section of a sentence or rhythmic unit.”
Classical Latin
Latin
colum
“A pillar or support; later influenced forms related to sectioning and division in learned usage.”
Late Latin
Latin
colon
“Used in learned anatomical and grammatical contexts for a segment or part.”
Middle English
English
colon
“A grammatical mark introduced into English punctuation traditions.”
Modern English
English
colon
“The punctuation mark “:” and the large intestine.”