coloss-

(Greek > Latin: gigantic, enormous, huge)

colossal (adjective), more colossal, most colossal
1. Referring to something extremely great or large; so great in size or force to such an extent as to result in serious challenges or situations: The colossal force of last night's thunderstorm knocked out the electrical power system in Ava's area for over an hour.

During the very strong wind storm, a colossal oak tree fell over during the night and destroyed a large section of a big office building.

2. Pertaining to something beyond belief or understanding: Those talk-show hosts obviously have colossal egos which they often present when they start their rantings and ravings.
Enormous in size or extent or degree.
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Incredible or astonishing mistake.
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colossality (s) (noun)
1. Something that is extraordinarily great in size, extent, or degree; gigantic; huge.
2. When capitalized, a classical structure whose columns or pilasters span two or more stories of a building.
colossally (adverb)
A descriptive term for something that is exceptionally large or gigantic: "The national debt has become a colossally enormous problem for many nations."
colossean (adjective)
A reference to an immense, enormous, prodigious situation, object: "The politicians were warned that their decision could be a colossean blunder."
Colosseum, Coliseum (s); Colosseums, Coliseums (pl) (nouns)
The great amphitheater in Rome that was built by Vespasian and Titus about A.D. 75-80: "The Colosseum is a four-storied complex of arches and arcades with 80 arches around the exterior."

Overall the Colosseum is 189 meters (620 feet) long and 156 meters (513 feet) across, and by far, it is the largest of the Roman amphitheaters that, despite centuries of vandalism, still stand.

Its present name was not used until the Middle Ages which is derived not from the amphitheater's dimensions but probably from the colossal statue of Nero that used to be nearby.

—Compiled from excerpts located in
Reader's Digest Illustrated Encyclopedic Dictionary;
The Reader's Digest Association, Inc.; Pleasantville, New York; 1987; page 50.

It should be remembered that the term Colosseum may also refer to other large arenas; such as, the Los Angeles Colosseum, etc.

colossus (s), colossi (pl) (nouns)
1. A gigantic statue: "A colossus is a statue that is several times larger than life size."
2. Anything that is huge, of great size, or stature: "He is a colossus among contemporary architects and contractors."
Colossus of Rhodes (s) (noun)
A gigantic bronze statue of Apollo set at the entrance to the harbor of ancient Rhodes about 285 B.C.
Non est magnus pumilio, licet in monte constiterit; colossus magnitudinem suam servabit, etiam si steterit in puteo. (Latin proverb)
Translation: "A dwarf is not tall, even though he stand on a mountain; a colossus keeps his height, even though he stand in a well."

From Seneca, Ad Lucilium Epis (c. A.D. 65).

supercolossal (adjective)
A reference to something that is extremely great, large, impressive, etc.: "The wars turned out to be supercolossal failures."
supercolossally (adverb)
That which is described as being extremely enormous, gigantic, or huge: "The new museum is a supercolossally huge building."