from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Pale \Pale\ (p[=a]l), a. [Compar. {Paler} (p[=a]l"[~e]r);
superl. {Palest}.] [F. p[^a]le, fr. p[^a]lir to turn pale, L.
pallere to be or look pale. Cf. {Appall}, {Fallow}, {pall},
v. i., {Pallid}.]
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1. Wanting in color; not ruddy; dusky white; pallid; wan; as,
a pale face; a pale red; a pale blue. "Pale as a forpined
ghost." --Chaucer.
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Speechless he stood and pale. --Milton.
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They are not of complexion red or pale. --T.
Randolph.
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2. Not bright or brilliant; of a faint luster or hue; dim;
as, the pale light of the moon.
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The night, methinks, is but the daylight sick;
It looks a little paler. --Shak.
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Note: Pale is often used in the formation of self-explaining
compounds; as, pale-colored, pale-eyed, pale-faced,
pale-looking, etc.
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