COLOURPOINT Meaning and
Definition
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The term "colourpoint" refers to a specific coat pattern found in certain domestic cat breeds. It is a combination of two important coat characteristics: color and point coloration. A "colourpoint" cat typically exhibits a pale or creamy body color with darker shades of color appearing on the extremities or "points" of the body such as the ears, paws, tail, and face.
This coat pattern is commonly seen in breeds like the Siamese, Himalayan, Birman, and Ragdoll cats. The colourpoint pattern is a result of a genetic mutation that affects pigmentation, causing the production of darker melanin only in the cooler parts of the body. These cooler areas restrict the production of pigments due to their slightly lower temperature compared to the rest of the body, resulting in the characteristic contrast seen in colourpoint cats.
The body color of the colourpoint cat can vary, but it is generally lighter in shade. The points, on the other hand, exhibit a range of darker colors, including but not limited to seal, chocolate, blue, and lilac. The eyes of colourpoint cats are usually a striking blue, adding to their distinctive appearance.
Overall, the term "colourpoint" is used to describe a specific coat pattern found in select cat breeds, characterized by a contrast between the lighter body color and darker points. This specific coat pattern is a result of a genetic mutation affecting pigmentation and is commonly associated with breeds like Siamese and Himalayans.
Common Misspellings for COLOURPOINT
- xolourpoint
- volourpoint
- folourpoint
- dolourpoint
- cilourpoint
- cklourpoint
- cllourpoint
- cplourpoint
- c0lourpoint
- c9lourpoint
- cokourpoint
- copourpoint
- cooourpoint
- coliurpoint
- colkurpoint
- collurpoint
- colpurpoint
- col0urpoint
- col9urpoint
- coloyrpoint
Etymology of COLOURPOINT
The word "colourpoint" is a combination of two terms: "colour" and "point".
The term "colour" derives from the Old French word "color", which was later influenced by the Latin word "color". Both words ultimately trace back to the Latin word "colore", meaning "color" or "hue".
The term "point" comes from the Old English word "pynt", which later evolved to "point". It originally referred to a mark or spot and was used to indicate the specific markings on certain animals, especially cats.
When these two terms are combined, "colourpoint" refers to a specific color pattern in cats, characterized by a pale or lighter body color and darker markings on the face, ears, paws, and tail. This term is commonly associated with breeds like the Siamese, Birman, Ragdoll, and Himalayan.
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