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colors only have ostensive definitions, as do directions like left (i.e., you can only define it by pointing). you can make a verbal definition but it will generally be at least somewhat circular.
as for the definition of "is," that depends on what you mean by "is." (not to wax clintonian.) there's the is of identity (e.g., water is h20), the is of existence (e.g., there is a computer in this room), the is of predication (e.g., this shirt is black), the is of identification (e.g., this is a cup), the is of artistic identification (provided you're arthur danto . . . e.g., this white dot in the painting is icarus) . . .
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