yellow

yellow
{{11}}yellow (adj.) O.E. geolu, geolwe, from P.Gmc. *gelwaz (Cf. O.S., O.H.G. gelo, M.Du. ghele, Du. geel, M.H.G. gel, Ger. gelb, O.N. gulr, Swed. gul "yellow"), from PIE *ghel- "yellow, green" (see CHLOE (Cf. Chloe)).
Meaning "light-skinned" (of blacks) first recorded 1808. Applied to Asiatics since 1787, though the first recorded reference is to Turkish words for inhabitants of India. Yellow peril translates Ger. die gelbe gefahr. Sense of "cowardly" is 1856, of unknown origin; the color was traditionally associated rather with treachery. Yellow-bellied "cowardly" is from 1924, probably a rhyming reduplication of yellow; earlier yellow-belly was a sailor's name for a half-caste (1867) and a Texas term for Mexican soldiers (1842, based on the color of their uniforms). Yellow dog "mongrel" is attested from c.1770; slang sense of "contemptible person" first recorded 1881. Yellow fever attested from 1748, American English (jaundice is a symptom).
{{12}}yellow (v.) "to become yellow," O.E. geoluwian, from the source of YELLOW (Cf. yellow) (adj.). Related: Yellowed; yellowing.

Etymology dictionary. 2014.

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  • Yellow — Yel low (y[e^]l l[ o]), a. [Compar. {Yellower} (y[e^]l l[ o]*[ e]r); superl. {Yellowest}.] [OE. yelow, yelwe, [yogh]elow, [yogh]eoluw, from AS. geolu; akin to D. geel, OS. & OHG. gelo, G. gelb, Icel. gulr, Sw. gul, Dan. guul, L. helvus light bay …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Yellow — Yel low, n. 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. [1913 Webster] 2. A yellow… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • yellow — [yel′ō] adj. [ME yelwe < OE geolu, akin to Ger gelb < IE base * ĝhel , to gleam, yellow, green, blue > Gr cholos, gall, L helvus, tawny] 1. of the color of gold, butter, or ripe lemons 2. changed to a yellowish color as by age, as old… …   English World dictionary

  • yellow — ► ADJECTIVE 1) of the colour between green and orange in the spectrum, as of egg yolks or ripe lemons. 2) offensive having a yellowish or olive skin (as used to describe Chinese or Japanese people). 3) referring to a warning of danger which is… …   English terms dictionary

  • Yellow — Yel low, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Yellowed}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Yellowing}.] To make yellow; to cause to have a yellow tinge or color; to dye yellow. [1913 Webster] …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Yellow No. 5 — Yellow #5 is a California based rock band with a strong New Orleans vibe. The band features vocalist/bassist Molly McGuire and guitarist David Catching. The debut album, Demon Crossing , also features Brant Bjork on drums; their drummer for live… …   Wikipedia

  • Yellow — (engl. für die Farbe Gelb) steht für: Yellow (Manga), Mangaserie von Makoto Tateno Yellow, umgangssprachlich für den Buntbarsch Labidochromis caeruleus Siehe auch Yello, Schweizer Musik Band …   Deutsch Wikipedia

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  • Yellow — Yel low, v. i. To become yellow or yellower. [1913 Webster] …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • yellow — [adj1] cowardly chicken*, craven, deceitful, gutless, lily livered*, low, offensive, pusillanimous, sneaking, treacherous, tricky, unethical, unprincipled; concepts 267,401 Ant. bold, brave, confident yellow [n/adj2] sunny color amber, bisque,… …   New thesaurus

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