pallor
UK[ˈpælə]US[ˈpælər]
n
an unhealthy pale appearance of a person's face or skin.
Etymology
the word 'pallor' entered english in the late 14th century, borrowed directly from the latin noun 'pallor', which means 'paleness'. this latin term is derived from the verb 'pallēre', meaning 'to be pale'. the ultimate origin is the proto-indo-european root pel-, meaning 'pale', which also gave rise to english words like 'pale' and 'fallow'. the logic of the word's evolution is direct: the latin abstract noun for the state of being pale was adopted into english to specifically describe an unhealthy, often sickly, paleness of complexion.
Analysis
the word is a simplex loanword from latin. it does not contain separable english morphemes.
Examples
a sudden pallor came over her face when she heard the shocking news.
the doctor noted the patient's pallor as a symptom of possible anemia.
his usual ruddy complexion was replaced by a ghostly pallor after the illness.