LATIN DICTIONARYLexicon Latīnum
noun · neutersecond declension

cōlum

cōlum n (genitive cōlī)
Classical[ˈkoː.ɫũː]Ecclesiastical[ˈkɔː.lum]

Meaning

  1. colander, strainer
  2. poetica wicker basket for catching fish

Declension

declension
formsingularplural
nominativecōlumcōla
genitivecōlīcōlōrum
dativecōlōcōlīs
accusativecōlumcōla
ablativecōlōcōlīs
vocativecōlumcōla

cōlum, i, n.
I. A vessel for straining, a strainer, colander, Cato, R. R. 11, 2; Verg. G. 2, 242; Col. 11, 2, 70; 12, 19, 4; 12, 38, 7; Plin. 36, 23, 52, § 173; App. M. 3, p. 130, 20; Scrib. Comp. 156 al.: colum nivarium, for cooling wine, Mart. 14, 103 inscr.; cf. id. 14, 104; Dig. 34, 2, 2.—*
II. Poet., a bow-net, a net of wicker-work for catching fish, a wear, Aus. Ep. 4, 57; cf. 2. colo.
cōlum, = colon, q. v.

Origins

Perhaps related to quālus/quālum (“wicker basket”). No widely agreeable etymology has been suggested for either word, but compare Sanskrit चालन (cālana, “sieve, strainer”). De Vaan finds a connection with the root of quatio (“to shake, brandish”) conceivable.

Italo-Romance
  • Italiancolo

In the Academy Smith's classical dictionaries

AntiquitiesColumColum (ἠθμός, ἠθάνιον), a strainer or colander, was used for straining wine, milk, olive-oil, drugs, perfumes, and other liquids. Thus we find it empl…

Quick answers

What does cōlum mean in Latin?
cōlum, a noun, means “colander, strainer; a wicker basket for catching fish”.
What is the genitive of cōlum?
The genitive singular is cōlī. cōlum is neuter, second declension.
How do you pronounce cōlum?
In classical Latin, [ˈkoː.ɫũː]; in ecclesiastical (church) Latin, [ˈkɔː.lum].