[shade] n [ME, fr. OE sceadu; akin to OHG scato shadow, Gk skotos darkness] (bef. 12c) 1 a: comparative darkness or obscurity owing to interception of the rays of light b: relative obscurity or retirement
2. a: shelter (as by foliage) from the heat and glare of sunlight b: a place sheltered from the sun
3: an evanescent or unreal appearance
4. pl a: the shadows that gather as darkness comes on b: netherworld, hades
5. a: a disembodied spirit: ghost b--used to signal the similarity between a previously encountered person or situation and one at hand--usu. used in pl. "~s of my childhood"
6: something that intercepts or shelters from light, sun, or heat: as a: a device partially covering a lamp so as to reduce glare b: a flexible screen usu. mounted on a roller for regulating the light or the view through a window c pl: sunglasses
7. a: the reproduction of the effect of shade in painting or drawing b: a subdued or somber feature
8. a: a color produced by a pigment or dye mixture having some black in it b: a color slightly different from the one under consideration
9. a: a minute difference or variation: nuance b: a minute degree or quantity 10: a facial expression of sadness or displeasure -- shade.less adj
[2]shade vb shad.ed ; shad.ing vt (14c) 1 a: to shelter or screen by intercepting radiated light or heat b: to cover with a shade
2: to hide partly by or as if by a shadow
3: to darken with or as if with a shadow
4: to better or exceed by a shade: surpass, eclipse
5. a: to represent the effect of shade or shadow on b: to add shading to c: to color so that the shades pass gradually from one to another
6: to change by gradual transition or qualification 7: to reduce slightly (as a price) 8: slant, bias ~ vi 1: to pass by slight changes or imperceptible degrees
2: to undergo or exhibit minute difference or variation -- shad.er n