olive-drab
Meaning
of a dull olive-brown or olive-green colour, as used in some military uniforms.
a dull olive-brown or olive-green colour.
Structure
Usage
the soldiers were clad in standard olive-drab uniforms.
she painted the model tank in an authentic shade of olive-drab.
the fabric available came in a choice of khaki or olive-drab.
Etymology
the term 'olive-drab' is a modern english compound adjective formed by combining two distinct colour descriptors. 'olive' originates from the latin 'oliva', referring to the fruit and tree, and entered english via romance languages to denote the characteristic greenish-brown hue. 'drab' has a more textile-based origin, deriving from the old french word for cloth, 'drap', and evolved to describe the dull, light brown colour of undyed wool. the compound 'olive-drab' emerged in the early 20th century, primarily in a military context, to precisely specify the dull, greenish-brown colour used for uniforms and equipment, blending the specific hue of 'olive' with the dull quality implied by 'drab'.
Analysis
olive: from latin 'oliva' (olive tree, olive fruit), via old french. in this compound, it functions as a modifier specifying a shade of colour. drab: from old french 'drap' (cloth), referring to a kind of dull, brownish woollen cloth. in this compound, it functions as the core element denoting the dull colour quality.