n.
Pronunciation: ˌ k ə -l ə -r ə - ' tu ̇ r- ə , - ' tyu ̇ r-
Function: noun
Usage: often attrib
Etymology: obsolete Italian, literally, coloring, from Late Latin, from Latin coloratus, past participle of colorare to color, from color
Date: circa 1740
1 : elaborate embellishment in vocal music broadly : music with ornate figuration
2 : a soprano with a light agile voice specializing in coloratura