paler; palest
Definition of pale
(Entry 1 of 5)
1a
: deficient in color or intensity of color : pallid
a pale complexion
b(1)
: having color of reduced saturation (see saturation sense 4a)
a pale pink
(2)
: light in color especially relative to others of its kind
pale beers
2
: not bright or brilliant : dim
a pale sun shining through the fog
pale
verb (1)
paled; paling
pale
nounDefinition of pale (Entry 3 of 5)
1
: an area or the limits within which one is privileged or protected (as from censure)
conduct that was beyond the pale
2a
: 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.
3a
: one of the stakes of a palisade
b
: picket sense 1
4
: a perpendicular stripe on a heraldic shield
pale
verb (2)
paled; paling
Definition of pale (Entry 4 of 5)
: to enclose with pales : fence
pale-
combining formDefinition of pale- (Entry 5 of 5)
— see paleo-
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Merriam-Webster unabridged
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Time Traveler for pale
The first known use of pale was in the 12th century
See more words from the same century