yellow Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun yellow color or pigment; the chromatic color resembling the hue of sunflowers or ripe lemons
    yellowness.
  2. verb turn yellow
    • The pages of the book began to yellow
  3. adjective satellite of the color intermediate between green and orange in the color spectrum; of something resembling the color of an egg yolk
    xanthous; yellowish.
  4. adjective satellite easily frightened
    white-livered; yellow-bellied; chickenhearted; lily-livered; chicken.
  5. adjective satellite changed to a yellowish color by age
    yellowed.
    • yellowed parchment
  6. adjective satellite typical of tabloids
    sensationalistic; scandalmongering.
    • sensational journalistic reportage of the scandal
    • yellow press
  7. adjective satellite cowardly or treacherous
    • the little yellow stain of treason"-M.W.Straight
    • too yellow to stand and fight
  8. adjective satellite affected by jaundice which causes yellowing of skin etc
    icteric; jaundiced.

WordNet

Yel"low adjective
Etymology
OE. yelow, yelwe, ýelow, ýeoluw, from AS. geolu; akin to D. geel, OS. & OHG. gelo, G. gelb, Icel. gulr, Sw. gul, Dan. guul, L. helvus light bay, Gr. young verdure, greenish yellow, Skr. hari tawny, yellowish. . Cf. Chlorine, Gall a bitter liquid, Gold, Yolk.
Wordforms
comparative Yellower ; superlative Yellowest
Definitions
  1. Being of a bright saffronlike color; of the color of gold or brass; having the hue of that part of the rainbow, or of the solar spectrum, which is between the orange and the green.
    Her yellow hair was browded [braided] in a tress. Chaucer.
    A sweaty reaper from his tillage brought First fruits, the green ear and the yellow sheaf. Milton.
    The line of yellow light dies fast away. Keble.
Yel"low noun
Definitions
  1. A bright golden color, reflecting more light than any other except white; the color of that part of the spectrum which is between the orange and green. "A long motley coat guarded with yellow." Shak.
  2. A yellow pigment.
Yel"low transitive verb
Wordforms
imperfect & past participle Yellowed ; present participle & verbal noun Yellowing
Definitions
  1. To make yellow; to cause to have a yellow tinge or color; to dye yellow.
Yel"low intransitive verb
Definitions
  1. To become yellow or yellower.

Webster 1913