Col"o*ny (?), n.; pl.
Colonies (#). [L. colonia, fr.
colonus farmer, fr. colere to cultivate, dwell: cf.
F. colonie. Cf. Culture.] 1. A
company of people transplanted from their mother country to a
remote province or country, and remaining subject to the
jurisdiction of the parent state; as, the British colonies
in America.
The first settlers of New England were the best of
Englishmen, well educated, devout Christians, and zealous lovers
of liberty. There was never a colony formed of better
materials.
Ames.
2. The district or country colonized; a
settlement.
3. A company of persons from the same
country sojourning in a foreign city or land; as, the American
colony in Paris.
4. (Nat. Hist.) A number of
animals or plants living or growing together, beyond their usual
range.
Col"o*ny, n. 1.
(Bot.) A cell family or group of common origin, mostly of
unicellular organisms, esp. among the lower algæ. They may
adhere in chains or groups, or be held together by a gelatinous
envelope.
2. (Zoöl.) A cluster or
aggregation of zooids of any compound animal, as in the corals,
hydroids, certain tunicates, etc.
3. (Zoöl.) A community of social
insects, as ants, bees, etc.
Col"o*ny, n. 1.
(Bot.) A cell family or group of common origin, mostly of
unicellular organisms, esp. among the lower algæ. They may
adhere in chains or groups, or be held together by a gelatinous
envelope.
2. (Zoöl.) A cluster or
aggregation of zooids of any compound animal, as in the corals,
hydroids, certain tunicates, etc.
3. (Zoöl.) A community of social
insects, as ants, bees, etc.
