pale1

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adjective

• 1light in color or having little color:choose pale floral patterns for walls
• (of a person’s face or complexion) having less color than usual, typically as a result of shock, fear, or ill health:she looked pale and drawn

• 2feeble and unimpressive:unconvincing rock that came across as a pale imitation of Bruce Springsteen

verb

[no object]

• 1become pale in one’s face from shock or fear:I paled at the thought of what she might say

• 2seem less impressive or important:all else pales by comparison his own problems paled into insignificance compared to the plight of this child

Derivatives

palely

adverb

paleness

noun

palish

adjective

Origin:

Middle English: from Old French pale, from Latin pallidus; the verb is from Old French palir

Do not confuse pale with pail. The adjective pale means 'light in colour' (pale blue eyes), whereas the noun pail means 'a bucket'.