colours

colours [ˈkʌləz]

pl n

1. (History / Heraldry)

a.  the flag that indicates nationality

b.  Military the ceremony of hoisting or lowering the colours

2. (Military) a pair of silk flags borne by a military unit, esp British, comprising the Queen's Colour showing the unit's crest, and the Regimental Colour showing the crest and battle honours.

3. true nature or character (esp in the phrase show one's colours)

4. a distinguishing badge or flag, as of an academic institution

5. (General Sporting Terms) Sport Brit a badge or other symbol denoting membership of a team, esp at a school or college

6. Informal a distinguishing embroidered patch denoting membership of a motorcycle gang

nail one's colours to the mast

a.  to refuse to admit defeat

b.  to declare openly one's opinions or allegiances

Thesaurus

Noun	1.	colours - a distinguishing emblem; "his tie proclaimed his school colors" colors emblem - special design or visual object representing a quality, type, group, etc. plural, plural form - the form of a word that is used to denote more than one
	2.	colours - a flag that shows its nationality     colors ensign - colors flown by a ship to show its nationality flag - emblem usually consisting of a rectangular piece of cloth of distinctive design plural, plural form - the form of a word that is used to denote more than one