[a. F. coloration (16th c.), ad. L. *colōrātiōn-em, n. of action f. colōrāre to color: see -ATION.]
1. gen. The action or mode of coloring; colored state or condition, coloring: spec. the particular combination or arrangement of colors in animals or plants.
1626. Bacon, Sylva, § 399. (heading) Experiment solitary touching the Coloration of black and tawny Moors. Ibid. (1651), § 506. Amongst Curiosities, I shall place Colouration, though it be somewhat better: For Beauty in Flowers is their Preheminence.
1677. Plot, Oxfordsh., 150. The different colorations … of some of these flowers.
1837. Whewell, Hist. Induct. Sc. (1857), II. 213. The coloration of the image produced.
1880. A. R. Wallace, Isl. Life, I. iv. 64. Said to differ … in their note … as well as in colouration.
2. Coloring in architecture or decoration.
1861. Beresf. Hope, Eng. Cathedr. 19th C., vii. 250. This movement for ‘polychromatic architecture,’ or for ‘constructive coloration.’
1862. Parthenon, 26 July, 400. Every trace of ‘coloration’ has disappeared; although this must have been lavishly employed.
b. Coloring as characteristic of a painter or painting.
1879. Athenæum, 5 April, 445/3.
1883. Times, 10 Aug., 2/4. The grandeur and dignity of the forms and the depth of the colouration.
1887. Athenæum, 31 Dec., 900/2. The wealthy coloration and tonality of Walker.
3. (See quots.)
1612. Woodall, Surg. Mate, Wks. (1653), 269. Coloration is, whereby the perfect colour of gold, silver, Philosophers head, &c. obscured by any sulphurious vapour, is renovated and illustrated by maceration, frequent ablution, in sharp liquor, [etc.].
1731. Bailey, vol. II., Coloration, in Pharmacy, the changes of colour which bodies undergo, by the various operations either of nature or art, as by calcinations, coctions, &c.
1823. Crabb, Technol. Dict., Coloration, the brightening of gold or silver.
