sallow
UK[ˈsæləʊ]US[ˈsæloʊ]
adj
(of a person's skin or complexion) of a sickly, pale-yellowish color
v
To become sallow in color
Etymology
The adjective 'sallow' originates from the Old English word 'salo', meaning 'dark, dusky', which is related to Old High German 'salo' (dirty gray) and Old Norse 'sölr' (dirty). Its Proto-Indo-European root is likely sal-, meaning 'dirty, gray'. Over time, the meaning shifted from a general dark or dirty hue to specifically describe an unhealthy, yellowish pallor of human skin. This semantic evolution reflects the association of such a complexion with illness or poor health, moving from a color descriptor to one with a distinct connotation of infirmity.
Analysis
The word 'sallow' is a simplex word of Old English origin. It is not productively formed from smaller, recognizable morphemes in modern English.
Examples
His face looked sallow and drawn after weeks of illness.
The harsh winter had sallowed her normally rosy cheeks.
She worried that the fluorescent lighting made her skin appear sallow.