colophon

¹

[ kol-uh-fon, -fuhn ]

noun

1. a publisher's or printer's distinctive emblem, used as an identifying device on its books and other works.
2. an inscription at the end of a book or manuscript, used especially in the 15th and 16th centuries, giving the title or subject of the work, its author, the name of the printer or publisher, and the date and place of publication.

Colophon

²

[ kol-uh-fon ]

noun

1. an ancient city in Asia Minor: one of the 12 Ionian cities banded together in the 8th century b.c.: largely depopulated in 286 b.c.

colophon

/ -fən; ˈkɒləˌfɒn /

noun

1. a publisher's emblem on a book
2. (formerly) an inscription at the end of a book showing the title, printer, date, etc

Other Words From

• colo·phonic adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of colophon¹

1615–25; < Latin < Greek kolophṓn summit, finishing touch

Word History and Origins

Origin of colophon¹

C17: via Late Latin, from Greek kolophōn a finishing stroke

Example Sentences

The appearance of the Mark in the colophon therefore was a natural corollary of the printers vanity.

From Project Gutenberg

We have the sign IGÛ in the colophon where it occurs with ÂU, “water”, a-ide meaning “water of the eye”.

From Project Gutenberg

This heading is taken from the colophon at the end of the chapter.

From Project Gutenberg

The title is taken from the colophon at the end of the chapter.

From Project Gutenberg

But (having no house of their own out here) they had, far back, put colophon upon the nascent gas-pipe.

From Project Gutenberg