Definition of pale
3a : a space or field having bounds : enclosure The cattle were led into the pale.b : a territory or district within certain bounds or under a particular jurisdiction British culture survived even within the Roman pale.
4 : an area or the limits within which one is privileged or protected (as from censure) conduct that was beyond the pale
5 : a perpendicular stripe on a heraldic shield
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Origin and Etymology of pale
Middle English, from Anglo-French pel, pal stake, from Latin palus — more at pole
First Known Use: 12th century
Origin and Etymology of pale
see 1pale
First Known Use: 14th century
pale
Definition of pale
paler
;palest
Examples of pale in a Sentence
the pale wood of the table
The walls were painted a pale blue.
She has a pale complexion.
Her illness had left her pale and weak.
She grew pale with fright.
Are you feeling well? You look pale.
the pale light of dawn
Origin and Etymology of pale
Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Latin pallidus, from pallēre to be pale — more at fallow
First Known Use: 14th century
pale
Definition of pale
paled
;paling
intransitive verb
: to become pale
transitive verb
: to make pale
14th Century
First Known Use of pale
14th century
pale-
paleo-
Definition of pale-
1 : involving or dealing with ancient forms or conditions paleobotany
2 : early : primitive : archaic Paleolithic
Origin and Etymology of pale-
Greek palai-, palaio- ancient, from palaios, from palai long ago; probably akin to Greek tēle far off, Sanskrit carama last
PALE Defined for English Language Learners
pale
Definition of pale for English Language Learners
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: light in color
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: having a skin color that is closer to white than is usual or normal
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of light : not bright or intense
PALE Defined for Kids
Definition of pale for Students
paler
;palest
1 : having very light skin
2 : having a lighter skin color than normal because of sickness or fear
3 : not bright or brilliant a pale star
4 : light in color or shade pale pink
paleness
nounDefinition of pale for Students
paled
;paling
1 : to lose color She paled when the wound was described to her.
2 : to make or become less adequate, impressive, or intense My science project paled in comparison to those of the other students.
Medical Dictionary
Learn More about pale
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See words that rhyme with pale Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for pale Spanish Central: Translation of pale Nglish: Translation of pale for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of pale for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about pale
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