pale
UK[peɪl]US[peɪl]
adj
Light in colour; not strong or dark
adj
(of a person's face) having less colour than usual, for example because of illness, fear, or shock
v
To become pale
adj
Feeble or faint
Etymology
The word 'pale' entered English in the late 13th century from the Old French 'pale', which itself descended from the Latin 'pallidus', meaning pale or wan. This Latin adjective is derived from the verb 'pallere', 'to be pale', a term often associated with sickness or fear. The underlying Proto-Indo-European root is likely pel-, meaning 'pale', which also gave rise to words like 'fallow' and 'pallid'. The semantic journey is direct, maintaining the core concept of lacking colour or intensity, from a physical description of complexion to describing light colours or feeble impressions.
Analysis
The word is a simplex form. It is derived from the Latin word 'pallidus' meaning 'pale, pallid', which itself comes from the verb 'pallere' meaning 'to be pale'. The Old French form 'pale' was adopted into Middle English.
Examples
The walls were painted a pale blue.
She looked pale and tired after her long journey.
All other anxieties paled beside the fear of losing his child.