colossus
part of speech
noun (a colossus, colossi or colossuses); a name (the Colossus of Rhodes; Colossus — the computer)
meaning for a pupil
1) A huge statue, much bigger than life size. tree →
2) A person, company or thing that is enormously big, powerful or important («a colossus of science»). tree →
3) (a name) The Colossus of Rhodes: a giant bronze statue of the sun god Helios in ancient Greece, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. tree →
4) (a name) Colossus: one of the first electronic computers, built in Britain during the Second World War to help break German codes at Bletchley Park. tree →
sense in the lessons
In history lessons the Colossus of Rhodes is one of the Seven Wonders; it fell in an earthquake about 2,200 years ago. In computing history, Colossus helped code-breakers. In sport and news, a «colossus» is a giant figure who dominates. It tells the reader something is enormous or hugely important.
examples
- The Colossus of Rhodes stood over thirty metres tall. tree →
- An earthquake toppled the Colossus. tree →
- The Colossus computer helped break secret codes in the war. tree →
- The goalkeeper was a colossus in defence. tree →
- The giant statue was a true colossus. tree →
- Some people call that company a colossus of technology. tree →
- The famous Colossus of Rhodes, which was one of the seven wonders of the world, was erected in honour of Helios. tree →
note
Plural colossi («kuh-LOSS-eye») or colossuses. Adjective: colossal (huge). Myth: pictures often show the Colossus of Rhodes standing with legs across the harbour, but historians think that is unlikely.
Trees and pragmatics
Every meaning and example of «colossus» parsed by Mova, each sentence with its dependency tree and frames.