Colossus Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations
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colossus
[ˈkɒləsəs ]
Definitions
ancient history
A statue that is much bigger than life-size and usually represents a human or an animal.
Synonyms
giant statue, monument.
Which Synonym Should You Choose?
| Word | Description / Examples |
|---|---|
| colossus |
A colossus is a very large statue or something immense in size or importance. It often implies something of great impact or significance.
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| giant statue |
Giant statue refers specifically to a statue that is very large in size. It is more straightforward and less grandiose compared to 'colossus'.
|
| monument |
Monument generally refers to a structure created to commemorate a person or event. It could be any size and doesn't necessarily have to be a statue.
|
Examples of usage
- The Colossus of Rhodes was one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.
- The ancient Greeks built many colossi to honor their gods.
figurative
A person or thing of enormous size, importance, or ability.
Synonyms
giant, powerhouse, titan.
Which Synonym Should You Choose?
| Word | Description / Examples |
|---|---|
| colossus |
Used to describe something or someone extremely large or influential, often in a metaphorical sense.
|
| giant |
Can describe something physically large or someone who is very important or influential in a field.
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| titan |
Describes someone or something extremely powerful or influential, often with a sense of awe or admiration.
|
| powerhouse |
Refers to a person, team, or organization that is very strong and effective, often in a specific domain like sports, business, or other competitive fields.
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Examples of usage
- She was a colossus in the field of medicine.
- The company became a colossus in the tech industry.
Translations
To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.
Interesting Facts
Historical Origins
- The word comes from the Latin 'colossus', which means giant, and is derived from the Greek 'kolossos'.
- One famous example is the Colossus of Rhodes, a giant statue of the sun god Helios, which once stood at the entrance of the harbor of Rhodes, Greece.
- This monumental statue was around 33 meters tall, making it one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.
Art and Architecture
- Colossal sculptures have been created in many cultures, including the massive Easter Island heads known as moai.
- In ancient Egypt, large statues of pharaohs, like those found at Abu Simbel, were built to demonstrate power and divine rule.
- The use of large sculptures continues today, like the colossal faces of Mount Rushmore, which honors four U.S. presidents.
Literature and Film
- The word 'colossus' is often used in literature to signify something that is overwhelmingly large or significant, like a powerful force or character.
- In popular movies, 'colossus' can describe giant creatures or robots, emphasizing their size in a dramatic way.
- The term was also used in various comic book series to depict characters with extraordinary size and strength.
Philosophy and Symbolism
- In philosophical discussions, a 'colossus' might symbolize an overwhelming presence or significant challenge that stands before individuals or societies.
- The term can represent larger-than-life ideals, such as great leaders or monumental achievements in human history, inspiring admiration or fear.
- Colossi often embody themes of power, legacy, and the quest for immortality, prompting reflections on what it means to leave a mark in the world.
Science
- In astronomy, some celestial bodies like massive stars or planets may be informally referred to as 'colossal' due to their vast size and mass.
- The term also appears in geology to describe significant landforms, like giant mountains or rock formations that dominate the landscape.
- In biology, 'colossal' can describe particularly large species, such as the colossal squid, one of the largest and deepest-dwelling creatures in the ocean.
Origin of 'colossus'
The word 'colossus' comes from the Latin word 'colossus' meaning a statue larger than life. The most famous colossus in history is the Colossus of Rhodes, a giant statue of the sun god Helios built on the Greek island of Rhodes around 280 BC. It stood for only 56 years before being destroyed in an earthquake, but its legacy lives on as one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.