VocabDictionary

collied

/ˈkɒl.ɪd/advanced Level

English Meaning & Definitions

1.adjective

Blackened, darkened, or begrimed, as if with coal dust or soot.

Example Sentences:
  • “The moon was collied by the thick, swirling smoke of the industrial chimneys.”
  • “Her face was collied with the soot of the fireplace after she finished cleaning the hearth.”
2.verb

Past tense and past participle of 'colly'; to make black or dirty with soot.

Example Sentences:
  • “The storm clouds collied the horizon, turning the bright afternoon into a premature twilight.”
  • “The miners emerged from the shaft, their skin collied by the deep dust of the earth.”
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English Synonyms & Near Equivalents

English Antonyms & Opposites

Comprehensive Thesaurus Breakdown

Compare formal, informal, literary synonyms and register nuances for “collied”.

Thesaurus Entry
Cultural Origin & Etymology

Derived from the Middle English 'col' (coal), referring to the black dust or soot of coal. The verb 'colly' meant to blacken or begrime with coal dust. It is famously used by Shakespeare in 'A Midsummer Night's Dream' to describe the darkening of the sky.

Memory Aid & Mnemonic

Think of 'coal-lied': The sky was 'lied' to by the darkness of 'coal' smoke.

Frequently Asked Questions About “collied”

1. What is the meaning of “collied” in English?

In English, collied (adjective) is defined as: “Blackened, darkened, or begrimed, as if with coal dust or soot.”.

2. How do you use “collied” in a sentence?

“The moon was collied by the thick, swirling smoke of the industrial chimneys.”

3. What are English synonyms of “collied”?

Common synonyms include:blackened,begrimed,sooty,smutty,darkened

4. What is the etymology and word origin of “collied”?

Derived from the Middle English 'col' (coal), referring to the black dust or soot of coal. The verb 'colly' meant to blacken or begrime with coal dust. It is famously used by Shakespeare in 'A Midsummer Night's Dream' to describe the darkening of the sky.