colophon

noun

col·​o·​phon ˈkä-lə-fən 

-ˌfän

1

: an inscription at the end of a book or manuscript usually with facts about its production

2

: an identifying mark used by a printer or a publisher

Examples of colophon in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The handscroll’s social dynamics were also reflected in the colophon, or end papers, where owners and visiting viewers would write clever commentary. —WIRED, 19 Sep. 2023

The ongoing nature of the colophon rendered the artwork a continuous collaboration across time—sometimes centuries—rather than something that could be finished and put away. —WIRED, 19 Sep. 2023

Like the colophon actually means like these are the people who made it. —Lale Arikoglu, Condé Nast Traveler, 5 Aug. 2020

The differences between the editions, which begin with the colophon, include extended or altered scenes and three distinct endings. —James Yeh, New York Times, 3 May 2020

This is one reason, Melanie Holcomb, a curator in the Met’s department of medieval art explained, it is thought that the Bible dates from the early part of the 14th century, despite bearing a colophon dated A.D. 1366. —Peter Libbey, New York Times, 22 Dec. 2017

Word History

Etymology

Latin, from Greek kolophōn summit, finishing touch; perhaps akin to Latin culmen top — more at hill

First Known Use

1501, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Geographical Definition

Colophon

geographical name

Col·​o·​phon ˈkä-lə-fən 

-ˌfän

ancient city of western Asia Minor in Lydia