I. ˈpāl noun
Etymology: Middle English, from Anglo-French pel, pal stake, from Latin palus — more at pole
Date: 12th century
1. archaic : palisade , paling
2.
a. : one of the stakes of a palisade
b. : picket
3.
a. : a space or field having bounds : enclosure
b. : a territory or district within certain bounds or under a particular jurisdiction
4. : an area or the limits within which one is privileged or protected (as from censure)
conduct that was beyond the pale
5. : a perpendicular stripe on a heraldic shield
II. transitive verb
( paled ; pal·ing )
Date: 14th century
: to enclose with pales : fence
III. adjective
( pal·er ; pal·est )
Etymology: Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Latin pallidus, from pallēre to be pale — more at fallow
Date: 14th century
1. : deficient in color or intensity of color : pallid
a pale complexion
2. : not bright or brilliant : dim
a pale sun shining through the fog
3. : feeble , faint
a pale imitation
4. : deficient in chroma
a pale pink
• pale·ly ˈpāl-lē adverb
• pale·ness -nəs noun
• pal·ish ˈpā-lish adjective
IV. verb
( paled ; pal·ing )
Date: 14th century
intransitive verb
: to become pale
transitive verb
: to make pale