Col"o*ny (?), n.; pl. Colonies (#). [L. colonia, fr. colonus farmer, fr. colere to cultivate, dwell: cf. F. colonie. Cf. Culture.]
1.
A company of people transplanted from their mother country to a remote province or country, and remaining subject to the jurisdiction of the parent state; as, the British colonies in America.
The first settlers of New England were the best of Englishmen, well educated, devout Christians, and zealous lovers of liberty. There was never a colony formed of better materials.
Ames.
2.
The district or country colonized; a settlement.
3.
A company of persons from the same country sojourning in a foreign city or land; as, the American colony in Paris.
4. (Nat. Hist.)
A number of animals or plants living or growing together, beyond their usual range.
© Webster 1913
Col"o*ny, n.
1. (Bot.)
A cell family or group of common origin, mostly of unicellular organisms, esp. among the lower algæ. They may adhere in chains or groups, or be held together by a gelatinous envelope.
2. (Zoöl.)
A cluster or aggregation of zooids of any compound animal, as in the corals, hydroids, certain tunicates, etc.
3. (Zoöl.)
A community of social insects, as ants, bees, etc.
© Webster 1913