kolor

Kolor is the Polish word for color. In everyday use, kolor denotes the characteristic of light that allows the perception of hues and tones, and it functions as a general term in art, design, science, and communication.

Color originates in light; wavelengths within the visible spectrum produce perceptual experiences processed by the brain. Humans typically rely on three cone types to distinguish red, green, and blue, though color vision varies among individuals and species. Color perception depends on lighting and context.

In practice, color is described with models and spaces. Additive RGB colors combine light and are used by screens; subtractive CMYK colors are used in printing. Common color spaces include sRGB and Adobe RGB; hue, saturation, and brightness (or value) describe color attributes.

Etymology: the term kol or kolor derives from Latin color, via French couleur; in Polish, barwa is another related term, often emphasizing hue or tonal quality. Kolor covers practical use in design and everyday language, while barwa may appear in more artistic descriptions.

Kolor intersects science, art, and culture, shaping how people convey information, emotion, and identity through visual media.