colure: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Extremely RareHighly Technical
Quick answer
What does “colure” mean?
Either of two great circles on the celestial sphere, the equinoctial colure passing through the celestial poles and the equinoxes, and the solstitial colure passing through the celestial poles and the solstices.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
Either of two great circles on the celestial sphere, the equinoctial colure passing through the celestial poles and the equinoxes, and the solstitial colure passing through the celestial poles and the solstices.
A term used almost exclusively in astronomy, celestial navigation, and historical astronomy texts to refer to these specific coordinate lines. No extended, figurative, or common usage exists.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning or usage. Pronunciations may vary slightly.
Connotations
None beyond its strict technical definition.
Frequency
Equally rare and specialised in both varieties.
Grammar
How to Use “colure” in a Sentence
The [equinoctial/solstitial] colure passes through......is marked by the colure.The intersection of the colures.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “colure” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- colure-related calculations
- the colure concept
American English
- colure-based coordinates
- the colure principle
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Never used.
Academic
Used only in advanced astronomy, history of science, or celestial mechanics contexts.
Everyday
Virtually never encountered.
Technical
The sole domain of usage. Found in precise descriptions of the celestial coordinate system.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “colure”
Neutral
Weak
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “colure”
- Mispronouncing as 'colour'.
- Attempting to use it in non-astronomical contexts.
- Confusing the equinoctial and solstitial colures.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is an extremely rare and highly specialised astronomical term.
The equinoctial colure passes through the celestial poles and the equinoxes, while the solstitial colure passes through the poles and the solstices.
It would be highly unusual and likely confusing, as it has no meaning outside its specific technical context.
No, they are etymologically distinct. 'Colure' comes from Greek 'kolourus' (docked tail), while 'colour' comes from Latin 'color'.
Either of two great circles on the celestial sphere, the equinoctial colure passing through the celestial poles and the equinoxes, and the solstitial colure passing through the celestial poles and the solstices.
Colure is usually highly technical in register.
Colure: in British English it is pronounced /kəʊˈljʊə/, and in American English it is pronounced /kəˈlʊr/ or /koʊˈljʊr/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: CO-ordinate lines that are ob-SCURE (colure). They are obscure coordinate circles in the sky.
Conceptual Metaphor
Not applicable; the term is purely technical and literal.
Practice
Quiz
In which field is the term 'colure' exclusively used?