Color
A New Law Dictionary and Glossary · Alexander M. Burrill · 1850
A New Law Dictionary and Glossary
Lat. Colour. A term of the ancient rhetoricians, adopted at an early period into the language oi pleading in actions at common law.
Steph. PL 202.
Color a rketoribus appellatur probabilis a Ucvjus rei causa, qud quod falsum aut turpe est velamus. Colour is called by the rhetoricians the probable cause of any thing, with which we disguise what b false or base.
Tumeb. in notis ad QuinctiL cited Steph. PL Appendix, Note (49).
In a general sense, mere appearance as distingmshed from reality; the exterior or prima faci£S of a thing; a false or assumed appearance; a cover, cloak, disguise or pretext,* See Prima facie. Color officii.