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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Recent Examples of pale from the Web
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There’s widespread agreement that some requested data points, especially Social Security numbers, are beyond the pale.
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His flat palm made contact with my small pale back.
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The sneaks in question are your classic white, high-top Air Force 1s, but these are bedazzled with shimmering sequins in pale pink and turquoise shades.
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Seizures of fentanyl at the U.S.-Mexico border pale in comparison with cocaine, heroin and methamphetamine and marijuana.
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Bryce Harper has a career WAR of 24.2 (both pale in comparison to Mike Trout, he of the otherworldly 51.9 WAR).
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Her pale, austere, meditative canvases, based on slight variations of the grid, exhibited a faith, very much shared by Taborn, in the radiant effects that can be achieved by the subtle play of repetition and difference.
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The pale, dry rosés from this region of southern France, ubiquitous in wine stores in this...
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Ten beers were on tap, five of which were bitter-meets-fruity pale ales, IPAs and double IPA.
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'pale.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Origin and Etymology of pale
Middle English, from Anglo-French pel, pal stake, from Latin palus — more at pole
Recent Examples of pale from the Web
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But these gains might well pale in comparison to what such households stand to lose from an underfunded federal government.
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The article also highlights Walker's favorite meal – a brown bag lunch containing a ham and cheese sandwich, which might pale in comparison to artsy foodie Instagram accounts.
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Still, those streaming amounts pale next to the billion-dollar deals signed with TV networks such as FOX, CBS and ESPN.
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The success of those parties, however, is likely to pale into insignificance should La Republique En Marche secure the mandate Macron requires to govern successfully.
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The belly of the watermelon (the part lying on the ground) will change from white to creamy yellow to pale yellow.
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The school bond appears, however, to pale in comparison to flouride in voters' priority lists: In 2013, when a measure to add flouride to Portland's drinking water was before voters, fully 42 percent of Multnomah voters cast ballots.
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Culver's Root: White to pale lavender flowers bloom in early to mid-summer.
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For the time being, concerns about a shortage of police officer seem to pale in comparison to the mass shooting.
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'pale.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Origin and Etymology of pale
see 1pale
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
Recent Examples of pale from the Web
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The white thing lay facedown in the mud, her dead flesh wrinkled and pale, cold blood trickling from her throat.
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But there was that spark in her pale green eyes that spoke of … a connection.
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But there were these pale pinks and super dark browns.
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What existing Windows users have instead is a pale imitation.
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Inside was a traditional pale pink sponge cake similar to the kind made in Reims, Favart’s home city in northeastern France, where his father was a pastry chef.
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The elegantly pale shade and ballet-slipper-like ankle-ties lend otherwise chunky shoes an air of delicacy.
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The short dark hair and big brown eyes pop against her pale skin.
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And India pale ales rank as the most popular style.
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'pale.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Origin and Etymology of pale
Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Latin pallidus, from pallēre to be pale — more at fallow
pale
Definition of pale
paled
;paling
intransitive verb
: to become pale
transitive verb
: to make pale
Recent Examples of pale from the Web
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But these gains might well pale in comparison to what such households stand to lose from an underfunded federal government.
-
The article also highlights Walker's favorite meal – a brown bag lunch containing a ham and cheese sandwich, which might pale in comparison to artsy foodie Instagram accounts.
-
Still, those streaming amounts pale next to the billion-dollar deals signed with TV networks such as FOX, CBS and ESPN.
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The success of those parties, however, is likely to pale into insignificance should La Republique En Marche secure the mandate Macron requires to govern successfully.
-
The belly of the watermelon (the part lying on the ground) will change from white to creamy yellow to pale yellow.
-
The school bond appears, however, to pale in comparison to flouride in voters' priority lists: In 2013, when a measure to add flouride to Portland's drinking water was before voters, fully 42 percent of Multnomah voters cast ballots.
-
Culver's Root: White to pale lavender flowers bloom in early to mid-summer.
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For the time being, concerns about a shortage of police officer seem to pale in comparison to the mass shooting.
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'pale.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
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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