colophon

/'kɔləfən/

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Word: Colophon

Part of Speech: Noun

Basic Definition: A colophon is a special mark or emblem that a publisher puts in a book. You usually find it printed on the title page or sometimes at the end of the book. It often includes information about the book, such as the name of the publisher, the year it was published, or details about the printing process.

Usage Instructions:

• You can use "colophon" when talking about books, publishing, or printing. It's not a common word in everyday conversation, but it might come up in discussions about literature or book design.

Example Sentence:

• "The colophon at the back of the book informed readers that it was printed using eco-friendly materials."

Advanced Usage:

In more advanced contexts, "colophon" can also refer to a brief statement about the book's production, including the type of paper used or the design choices made by the publisher.

Word Variants:

• There are no direct variants of "colophon," but you might encounter related terms in publishing, such as "imprint" (the name of the publisher) or "publisher's mark."

Different Meanings:

1. In Ancient Times: The term "colophon" originally referred to a statement at the end of an ancient manuscript that provided details about its creation, such as the author's name or the place of writing.
2. In Modern Use: Besides books, it can also refer to similar markings in other printed materials like magazines or journals.

Synonyms:

• Publisher's emblem
• Imprint (in some contexts)
• Printer’s mark

Idioms and Phrasal Verbs:

There are no specific idioms or phrasal verbs that directly relate to "colophon," as it is a specialized term used mainly in publishing.

Summary:

A colophon is a small but important part of a book that gives readers information about its production.

Academic

Noun

1. a publisher's emblem printed in a book (usually on the title page)