[pas.tel] n [F, fr. It pastello, fr. LL pastellus woad, fr. dim. of pasta] (1662) 1: a paste made of powdered pigment ranging from pale to deep colors and used for making crayons; also: a crayon made of such paste
2. a: a drawing in pastel b: the process or art of drawing with pastels
3: a light literary sketch
4: any of various pale or light colors
[2]pastel adj (1884) 1 a: of or relating to a pastel b: made with pastels
2: pale and light in color
3: lacking in body or vigor