n. & v.
--n.
1. comparative darkness (and usu. coolness) caused by shelter from direct light and heat.
2 a place or area sheltered from the sun.
3 a darker part of a picture etc.
4 a colour, esp. with regard to its depth or as distinguished from one nearly like it.
5 comparative obscurity.
6 a slight amount (am a shade better today).
7 a translucent cover for a lamp etc.
8 a screen excluding or moderating light.
9 an eye-shield.
10 (in pl.) esp. US colloq. sunglasses.
11 a slightly differing variety (all shades of opinion).
12 literary a a ghost. b (in pl.) Hades.
13 (in pl.; foll. by of) suggesting reminiscence or unfavourable comparison (shades of Dr Johnson!).
--v.
1. tr. screen from light.
2 tr. cover, moderate, or exclude the light of.
3 tr. darken, esp. with parallel pencil lines to represent shadow etc.
4 intr. & tr. (often foll. by away, off, into) pass or change by degrees.
Phrases and idioms:
in the shade in comparative obscurity.
Derivatives:
shadeless adj.
Etymology: OE sc(e)adu f. Gmc