How Do You Spell COLONY?

Pronunciation: [kˈɒlənɪ] (IPA)

The spelling of the word "colony" can be confusing due to its pronunciation. The word is spelled with the letter "o" followed by "lon", but the first syllable is pronounced with the long vowel sound of "oh" and the second syllable is pronounced with a short vowel sound of "uh". The IPA phonetic transcription for "colony" is /ˈkɒl.ə.ni/. This word refers to a group of people who settle in a foreign land, forming a community that is subject to their home country's rule.

COLONY Meaning and Definition

  1. A colony is a permanent settlement or territory established and maintained by a country or ruling power in a foreign land. Typically, the purpose of establishing a colony is to exploit the resources available in the area, expand the influence of the ruling power, or facilitate trade and commerce. The ruling power in a colony generally maintains political and economic control over the colony, often governing it directly or through appointed officials.

    Colonies commonly arise through processes such as exploration, conquest, or colonization. In the past, powerful empires like Britain, France, Spain, and Portugal established numerous colonies across the globe. These colonies served as extensions of the ruling power's authority, allowing them to exert political control over distant lands and peoples.

    Colonies vary in their levels of autonomy and relationship to the ruling power. Some colonies operate as self-governing entities with a certain degree of independence, while others are fully controlled by the ruling power. Historically, colonies have played a significant role in global power dynamics and have often been subject to struggles for independence and decolonization movements.

    The concept of colonization and colonies has evolved over time, and today the establishment of colonies is generally condemned as a form of exploitation or imperialism. However, the impact and legacy of colonies on the social, cultural, and economic development of both the ruling power and the colonized territory continue to have profound effects in many regions of the world.

  2. One of a number of groups of bacteria growing on a culture medium, each one due to the multiplication of an individual germ.

    A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.

  3. A body of persons sent out from their native country to a distant district, or a new country, in order to settle and cultivate it; the country thus settled or planted.

    Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.

Top Common Misspellings for COLONY *

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Other Common Misspellings for COLONY

Etymology of COLONY

The word colony comes from the Latin word colonia, which ultimately derives from the verb colere, meaning to cultivate or to inhabit. In ancient Rome, a colonia referred to a settlement or land specifically assigned to Roman citizens to establish a community. As the Roman Empire expanded, the term colonia came to be associated with its settlements and colonies. This Latin term was later adopted into Old French as colone, and eventually into Middle English as colony.

Similar spelling words for COLONY

Plural form of COLONY is COLONIES

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