diff --git a/draw-lib/racket/draw/private/color.rkt b/draw-lib/racket/draw/private/color.rkt
index 6fa87b8..3204b8d 100644
--- a/draw-lib/racket/draw/private/color.rkt
+++ b/draw-lib/racket/draw/private/color.rkt
@@ -2,7 +2,11 @@
 (require racket/class
          racket/contract/base
          (except-in "syntax.rkt" real-in integer-in)
-         "lock.rkt")
+         "lock.rkt"
+         (for-syntax racket/base
+                     racket/local
+                     racket/list
+                     racket/match))
 
 (provide color%
          make-color
@@ -127,186 +131,230 @@
 
 (define the-color-database (new color-database%))
 
-(define colors
-  #hash(("aliceblue" . #(240 248 255))
-        ("antiquewhite" . #(250 235 215))
-        ("aqua" . #(0 255 255))
-        ("azure" . #(240 255 255))
-        ("beige" . #(245 245 220))
-        ("bisque" . #(255 228 196))
-        ("blanchedalmond" . #(255 235 205))
-        ("blueviolet" . #(138 43 226))
-        ("burlywood" . #(222 184 135))
-        ("cadetblue" . #(95 158 160))
-        ("chartreuse" . #(127 255 0))
-        ("chocolate" . #(210 105 30))
-        ("cornflowerblue" . #(100 149 237))
-        ("cornsilk" . #(255 248 220))
-        ("crimson" . #(220 20 60))
-        ("darkblue" . #(0 0 139))
-        ("darkcyan" . #(0 139 139))
-        ("darkgoldenrod" . #(184 134 11))
-        ("darkgray" . #(169 169 169))
-        ("darkgreen" . #(0 100 0))
-        ("darkkhaki" . #(189 183 107))
-        ("darkmagenta" . #(139 0 139))
-        ("darkolivegreen" . #(85 107 47))
-        ("darkorange" . #(255 140 0))
-        ("darkorchid" . #(153 50 204))
-        ("darkred" . #(139 0 0))
-        ("darksalmon" . #(233 150 122))
-        ("darkseagreen" . #(143 188 139))
-        ("darkslateblue" . #(72 61 139))
-        ("darkslategray" . #(47 79 79))
-        ("darkturquoise" . #(0 206 209))
-        ("darkviolet" . #(148 0 211))
-        ("deeppink" . #(255 20 147))
-        ("deepskyblue" . #(0 191 255))
-        ("dimgray" . #(105 105 105))
-        ("dodgerblue" . #(30 144 255))
-        ("floralwhite" . #(255 250 240))
-        ("forestgreen" . #(34 139 34))
-        ("fuchsia" . #(255 0 255))
-        ("gainsboro" . #(220 220 220))
-        ("ghostwhite" . #(248 248 255))
-        ("greenyellow" . #(173 255 47))
-        ("honeydew" . #(240 255 240))
-        ("hotpink" . #(255 105 180))
-        ("indianred" . #(205 92 92))
-        ("indigo" . #(75 0 130))
-        ("ivory" . #(255 255 240))
-        ("lavender" . #(230 230 250))
-        ("lavenderblush" . #(255 240 245))
-        ("lawngreen" . #(124 252 0))
-        ("lemonchiffon" . #(255 250 205))
-        ("lightblue" . #(173 216 230))
-        ("lightcoral" . #(240 128 128))
-        ("lightcyan" . #(224 255 255))
-        ("lightgoldenrodyellow" . #(250 250 210))
-        ("lightgreen" . #(144 238 144))
-        ("lightgray" . #(211 211 211))
-        ("lightpink" . #(255 182 193))
-        ("lightsalmon" . #(255 160 122))
-        ("lightseagreen" . #(32 178 170))
-        ("lightskyblue" . #(135 206 250))
-        ("lightslategray" . #(119 136 153))
-        ("lightsteelblue" . #(176 196 222))
-        ("lightyellow" . #(255 255 224))
-        ("lime" . #(0 255 0))
-        ("limegreen" . #(50 205 50))
-        ("linen" . #(250 240 230))
-        ("mediumaquamarine" . #(102 205 170))
-        ("mediumblue" . #(0 0 205))
-        ("mediumorchid" . #(186 85 211))
-        ("mediumpurple" . #(147 112 219))
-        ("mediumseagreen" . #(60 179 113))
-        ("mediumslateblue" . #(123 104 238))
-        ("mediumspringgreen" . #(0 250 154))
-        ("mediumturquoise" . #(72 209 204))
-        ("mediumvioletred" . #(199 21 133))
-        ("midnightblue" . #(25 25 112))
-        ("mintcream" . #(245 255 250))
-        ("mistyrose" . #(255 228 225))
-        ("moccasin" . #(255 228 181))
-        ("navajowhite" . #(255 222 173))
-        ("oldlace" . #(253 245 230))
-        ("olive" . #(128 128 0))
-        ("olivedrab" . #(107 142 35))
-        ("orangered" . #(255 69 0))
-        ("palegoldenrod" . #(238 232 170))
-        ("palegreen" . #(152 251 152))
-        ("paleturquoise" . #(175 238 238))
-        ("palevioletred" . #(219 112 147))
-        ("papayawhip" . #(255 239 213))
-        ("peachpuff" . #(255 218 185))
-        ("peru" . #(205 133 63))
-        ("powderblue" . #(176 224 230))
-        ("rosybrown" . #(188 143 143))
-        ("royalblue" . #(65 105 225))
-        ("saddlebrown" . #(139 69 19))
-        ("sandybrown" . #(244 164 96))
-        ("seagreen" . #(46 139 87))
-        ("seashell" . #(255 245 238))
-        ("silver" . #(192 192 192))
-        ("skyblue" . #(135 206 235))
-        ("slateblue" . #(106 90 205))
-        ("slategray" . #(112 128 144))
-        ("snow" . #(255 250 250))
-        ("springgreen" . #(0 255 127))
-        ("steelblue" . #(70 130 180))
-        ("teal" . #(0 128 128))
-        ("tomato" . #(255 99 71))
-        ("whitesmoke" . #(245 245 245))
-        ("yellowgreen" . #(154 205 50))
+
+;; -------------------------------------
+
+;; (define-colors colors-id
+;;   entry
+;;   ...)
+;;      entry = [name-group rgb-vector]
+;; name-group = string    ; literal string
+;;            | id        ; refer to a defined goup name
+;;            | (or name-group ...)
+;;            | (seq name-group ...)
+;; rgb-vector = #(byte byte byte)
+;; Simple example:
+;; (define-colors colors
+;;   ["black" #(0  0  0)]
+;;   ["blue" #(0  0  255)]
+;;   [(seq "dark " (or "gray" "grey")) #(169  169  169)]
+
+;; Predefined name-groups:
+;; gray, both spellings
+(define-syntax gray '(or "gray" "grey"))
+;; maybe-space
+(define-syntax msp '(or " " ""))
+
+(begin-for-syntax
+  (define (stx-e* v)
+    (cond [(syntax? v)
+           (define lst (syntax->list v))
+           (cond [(pair? lst) (cons (syntax-e (car lst)) (cdr lst))]
+                 [lst         lst]
+                 [else        (syntax-e v)])]
+          [else v]))
+
+  ;; NameGroup -> [Listof StxString]
+  (define (name-group->list ng)
+    (match (stx-e* ng)
+      [(? symbol?)         (name-group->list (syntax-local-value ng))]
+      [(? string? s)       (list s)]
+      [`(or)               (list)]
+      [`(or ,ng)           (name-group->list ng)]
+      [`(or ,ng ...)       (append-map name-group->list ng)]
+      [`(seq)              (list "")]
+      [`(seq ,ng)          (name-group->list ng)]
+      [`(seq ,fst ,rst ...)
+       (for*/list ([fst-name (in-list (name-group->list fst))]
+                   [rst-name (in-list (name-group->list `(seq ,@rst)))])
+         (string-append fst-name rst-name))])))
+
+(define-syntax define-colors
+  (lambda (stx)
+    (syntax-case stx []
+      [(_ colors-id entry ...)
+       (local [;; Entry [Hashof String RgbVector] -> [Hashof String RgbVector]
+               (define (add-entry ent hsh)
+                 (syntax-case ent []
+                   [[name-group rgb-vector]
+                    (for/fold ([hsh hsh])
+                              ([name (in-list (name-group->list #'name-group))])
+                      (hash-set hsh name #'rgb-vector))]))
+               ;; Entries -> [Hashof String RgbVector]
+               (define (entries->hash ents)
+                 (foldl add-entry (hash) (syntax->list ents)))]
+
+         #`(define colors-id
+             '#,(entries->hash #'(entry ...))))])))
+
+;; ------------------------------------
+;; The Colors
+
+(define-colors colors
+  ["aliceblue"  #(240 248 255)]
+  ["antiquewhite"  #(250 235 215)]
+  ["aqua"  #(0 255 255)]
+  ["azure"  #(240 255 255)]
+  ["beige"  #(245 245 220)]
+  ["bisque"  #(255 228 196)]
+  ["blanchedalmond"  #(255 235 205)]
+  [(seq "blue" msp "violet")  #(138 43 226)]
+  ["burlywood"  #(222 184 135)]
+  ; TODO: are these two versions of cadet blue supposed to be different?
+  ["cadetblue"  #(95 158 160)]
+  ["cadet blue"  #(96  160  160)]
+  ["chartreuse"  #(127 255 0)]
+  ["chocolate"  #(210 105 30)]
+  ["cornflowerblue"  #(100 149 237)]
+  ; TODO: is this 68 64 108 version of cornflower blue a mistake?
+  ["cornflower blue"  #(68  64  108)]
+  ["cornsilk"  #(255 248 220)]
+  ["crimson"  #(220 20 60)]
+
+  [(seq "dark" msp "blue")  #(0 0 139)]
+  [(seq "dark" msp "cyan")  #(0 139 139)]
+  [(seq "dark" msp "goldenrod")  #(184 134 11)]
+  [(seq "dark" msp gray)  #(169 169 169)]
+  [(seq "dark" msp "green")  #(0 100 0)]
+  [(seq "dark" msp "khaki")  #(189 183 107)]
+  [(seq "dark" msp "magenta")  #(139 0 139)]
+  [(seq "dark" msp "olive" msp "green")  #(85 107 47)]
+  [(seq "dark" msp "orange")  #(255 140 0)]
+  [(seq "dark" msp "orchid")  #(153 50 204)]
+  [(seq "dark" msp "red")  #(139 0 0)]
+  [(seq "dark" msp "salmon")  #(233 150 122)]
+  [(seq "dark" msp "sea" msp "green")  #(143 188 139)]
+  [(seq "dark" msp "slate" msp "blue")  #(72 61 139)]
+  [(seq "dark" msp "slate" msp gray)  #(47 79 79)]
+  [(seq "dark" msp "turquoise")  #(0 206 209)]
+  [(seq "dark" msp "violet")  #(148 0 211)]
+
+  [(seq "deep" msp "pink")  #(255 20 147)]
+  [(seq "deep" msp "sky" msp "blue")  #(0 191 255)]
+
+  [(seq "dim" msp gray)  #(105 105 105)]
+
+  ["dodgerblue"  #(30 144 255)]
+  ["floralwhite"  #(255 250 240)]
+  [(seq "forest" msp "green")  #(34 139 34)]
+  ["fuchsia"  #(255 0 255)]
+  ["gainsboro"  #(220 220 220)]
+  ["ghostwhite"  #(248 248 255)]
+  [(seq "green" msp "yellow")  #(173 255 47)]
+  ["honeydew"  #(240 255 240)]
+  ["hotpink"  #(255 105 180)]
+  [(seq "indian" msp "red")  #(205 92 92)]
+  ["indigo"  #(75 0 130)]
+  ["ivory"  #(255 255 240)]
+  ["lavender"  #(230 230 250)]
+  ["lavenderblush"  #(255 240 245)]
+  ["lawngreen"  #(124 252 0)]
+  ["lemonchiffon"  #(255 250 205)]
+
+  [(seq "light" msp "blue")  #(173 216 230)]
+  [(seq "light" msp "coral")  #(240 128 128)]
+  [(seq "light" msp "cyan")  #(224 255 255)]
+  [(seq "light" msp "goldenrod" msp "yellow")  #(250 250 210)]
+  [(seq "light" msp "green")  #(144 238 144)]
+  [(seq "light" msp gray)  #(211 211 211)]
+  [(seq "light" msp "pink")  #(255 182 193)]
+  [(seq "light" msp "salmon")  #(255 160 122)]
+  [(seq "light" msp "sea" msp "green")  #(32 178 170)]
+  [(seq "light" msp "sky" msp "blue")  #(135 206 250)]
+  [(seq "light" msp "slate" msp gray)  #(119 136 153)]
+  [(seq "light" msp "steel" msp "blue")  #(176 196 222)]
+  [(seq "light" msp "yellow")  #(255 255 224)]
+
+  ["lime"  #(0 255 0)]
+  [(seq "lime" msp "green")  #(50 205 50)]
+  ["linen"  #(250 240 230)]
+
+  [(seq "medium" msp "aquamarine")  #(102  205  170)]
+  [(seq "medium" msp "blue")  #(0  0  205)]
+  [(seq "medium" msp "forest" msp "green")  #(107  142  35)]
+  [(seq "medium" msp "goldenrod")  #(234  234  173)]
+  [(seq "medium" msp "orchid")  #(186  85  211)]
+  [(seq "medium" msp "purple")  #(147 112 219)]
+  [(seq "medium" msp "sea" msp "green")  #(60  179  113)]
+  [(seq "medium" msp "slate" msp "blue")  #(123  104  238)]
+  [(seq "medium" msp "spring" msp "green")  #(0  250  154)]
+  [(seq "medium" msp "turquoise")  #(72  209  204)]
+  [(seq "medium" msp "violet" msp "red")  #(199  21  133)]
+  [(seq "midnight" msp "blue")  #(25  25  112)]
+  
+  ["mintcream"  #(245 255 250)]
+  ["mistyrose"  #(255 228 225)]
+  ["moccasin"  #(255 228 181)]
+  ["navajowhite"  #(255 222 173)]
+  ["oldlace"  #(253 245 230)]
+  ["olive"  #(128 128 0)]
+  ["olivedrab"  #(107 142 35)]
+  [(seq "orange" msp "red")  #(255 69 0)]
+  [(seq "pale" msp "goldenrod")  #(238 232 170)]
+  [(seq "pale" msp "green")  #(152 251 152)]
+  [(seq "pale" msp "turquoise")  #(175 238 238)]
+  [(seq "pale" msp "violet" msp "red")  #(219 112 147)]
+  ["papayawhip"  #(255 239 213)]
+  ["peachpuff"  #(255 218 185)]
+  ["peru"  #(205 133 63)]
+  ["powderblue"  #(176 224 230)]
+  ["rosybrown"  #(188 143 143)]
+  ["royalblue"  #(65 105 225)]
+  ["saddlebrown"  #(139 69 19)]
+  ["sandybrown"  #(244 164 96)]
+  [(seq "sea" msp "green")  #(46 139 87)]
+  ["seashell"  #(255 245 238)]
+  ["silver"  #(192 192 192)]
+  [(seq "sky" msp "blue")  #(135 206 235)]
+
+  [(seq "slate" msp "blue")  #(106 90 205)]
+  [(seq "slate" msp gray)  #(112 128 144)]
+  ["snow"  #(255 250 250)]
+  [(seq "spring" msp "green")  #(0 255 127)]
+  [(seq "steel" msp "blue")  #(70 130 180)]
+  ["teal"  #(0 128 128)]
+  ["tomato"  #(255 99 71)]
+  ["whitesmoke"  #(245 245 245)]
+  [(seq "yellow" msp "green")  #(154 205 50)]
         
-        ("aquamarine" . #(112  216  144))
-        ("black" . #(0  0  0))
-        ("blue" . #(0  0  255))
-        ("blue violet" . #(138  43  226))
-        ("brown" . #(132  60  36))
-        ("cadet blue" . #(96  160  160))
-        ("coral" . #(255  127  80))
-        ("cornflower blue" . #(68  64  108))
-        ("cyan" . #(0  255  255))
-        ("dark gray" . #(169  169  169))
-        ("dark green" . #(0  100  0))
-        ("dark olive green" . #(85  107  47))
-        ("dark orchid" . #(153  50  204))
-        ("dark slate blue" . #(72  61  139))
-        ("dark slate gray" . #(47  79  79))
-        ("dark turquoise" . #(0  206  209))
-        ("dim gray" . #(105  105  105))
-        ("firebrick" . #(178  34  34))
-        ("forest green" . #(34  139  34))
-        ("gold" . #(255  215  0))
-        ("goldenrod" . #(218  165  32))
-        ("gray" . #(190  190  190))
-        ("green" . #(0  255  0))
-        ("green yellow" . #(173  255  47))
-        ("indian red" . #(205  92  92))
-        ("khaki" . #(240  230  140))
-        ("light blue" . #(173  216  230))
-        ("light gray" . #(211  211  211))
-        ("light steel blue" . #(176  196  222))
-        ("lime green" . #(50  205  50))
-        ("magenta" . #(255  0  255))
-        ("maroon" . #(176  48  96))
-        ("medium aquamarine" . #(102  205  170))
-        ("medium blue" . #(0  0  205))
-        ("medium forest green" . #(107  142  35))
-        ("mediumforestgreen" . #(107  142  35))
-        ("medium goldenrod" . #(234  234  173))
-        ("mediumgoldenrod" . #(234  234  173))
-        ("medium orchid" . #(186  85  211))
-        ("medium sea green" . #(60  179  113))
-        ("medium slate blue" . #(123  104  238))
-        ("medium spring green" . #(0  250  154))
-        ("medium turquoise" . #(72  209  204))
-        ("medium violet red" . #(199  21  133))
-        ("midnight blue" . #(25  25  112))
-        ("navy" . #(36  36  140))
-        ("orange" . #(255  165  0))
-        ("orange red" . #(255  69  0))
-        ("orchid" . #(218  112  214))
-        ("pale green" . #(152  251  152))
-        ("pink" . #(255  192  203))
-        ("plum" . #(221  160  221))
-        ("purple" . #(160  32  240))
-        ("red" . #(255  0  0))
-        ("salmon" . #(250  128  114))
-        ("sea green" . #(46  139  87))
-        ("sienna" . #(160  82  45))
-        ("sky blue" . #(135  206  235))
-        ("slate blue" . #(106  90  205))
-        ("spring green" . #(0  255  127))
-        ("steel blue" . #(70  130  180))
-        ("tan" . #(210  180  140))
-        ("thistle" . #(216  191  216))
-        ("turquoise" . #(64  224  208))
-        ("violet" . #(238  130  238))
-        ("violet red" . #(208  32  144))
-        ("violetred" . #(208  32  144))
-        ("wheat" . #(245  222  179))
-        ("white" . #(255  255  255))
-        ("yellow" . #(255  255  0))
-        ("yellow green" . #(154  205  50))))
+  ["aquamarine"  #(112  216  144)]
+  ["black"  #(0  0  0)]
+  ["blue"  #(0  0  255)]
+  ["brown"  #(132  60  36)]
+  ["coral"  #(255  127  80)]
+  ["cyan"  #(0  255  255)]
+  ["firebrick"  #(178  34  34)]
+  ["gold"  #(255  215  0)]
+  ["goldenrod"  #(218  165  32)]
+  [gray  #(190  190  190)]
+  ["green"  #(0  255  0)]
+  ["khaki"  #(240  230  140)]
+  ["magenta"  #(255  0  255)]
+  ["maroon"  #(176  48  96)]
+  ["navy"  #(36  36  140)]
+  ["orange"  #(255  165  0)]
+  ["orchid"  #(218  112  214)]
+  ["pink"  #(255  192  203)]
+  ["plum"  #(221  160  221)]
+  ["purple"  #(160  32  240)]
+  ["red"  #(255  0  0)]
+  ["salmon"  #(250  128  114)]
+  ["sienna"  #(160  82  45)]
+  ["tan"  #(210  180  140)]
+  ["thistle"  #(216  191  216)]
+  ["turquoise"  #(64  224  208)]
+  ["violet"  #(238  130  238)]
+  [(seq "violet" msp "red")  #(208  32  144)]
+  ["wheat"  #(245  222  179)]
+  ["white"  #(255  255  255)]
+  ["yellow"  #(255  255  0)])