pallor

noun

pal·​lor ˈpa-lər 

: deficiency of color especially of the face : paleness

The boy's sickly pallor concerned his parents.

Examples of pallor in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Paparazzi images of the actor—oversized jackets, signature brown bangs, almost ghoul-like pallor—live rent-free in my head. —Perrie Samotin, Glamour, 15 July 2024

Such is the pallor of grisly discoveries in Northern Ireland. —Ali Watkins, New York Times, 29 Feb. 2024

Even employees at the local supermarket, who had come to know Yeni over the years as a lively customer, had started worrying about her pallor. —Stephania Taladrid, The New Yorker, 8 Jan. 2024

These can include: Dehydration Bloody diarrhea Abdominal cramps Fever In rare cases, some people, especially older adults and children under 5, may develop a type of kidney failure called hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS) which is marked by easy bruising, pallor, and decreased urine output. —The Courier-Journal, 3 Jan. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English pallour, borrowed from Anglo-French & Latin; Anglo-French palur, pallor "paleness, wanness, pale yellow color (of gold), borrowed from Latin pallor "paleness of complexion, loss of color," noun derivative, with the suffix -ōr-, -or (early Latin -ōs), from the base of pallēre "to be pale or bloodless, have a pale color," pallidus "pale, colorless" — more at fallow entry 1

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

pallor

noun

pal·​lor ˈpal-ər 

: paleness especially of the face

Medical Definition

pallor

noun

pal·​lor ˈpal-ər 

: deficiency of color especially of the face : paleness

patients in hemorrhagic shock may exhibit extreme pallor

—Scientific American Medicine