Shade
Pronunciation
- IPA: /ʃeɪd/
- Rhymes: -eɪd
Origin 1
From Old English sceadu.
Full definition of shade
Noun
shade
(countable and uncountable; plural shades)- (uncountable) Darkness where light, particularly sunlight, is blocked.The old oak tree gave shade in the heat of the day.
- 1898, Winston Churchill, The Celebrity Chapter 8, Now we plunged into a deep shade with the boughs lacing each other overhead, and crossed dainty, rustic bridges over the cold trout-streams, the boards giving back the clatter of our horses' feet:....
- (countable) Something that blocks light, particularly in a window.Close the shade, please: it's too bright in here.
- (countable) A variety of a colour/color, in particular one obtained by adding black (compare tint).I've painted my room in five lovely shades of pink and chartreuse.
- John Locke (1632-1705)Thus light and colours, as white, red, yellow, blue, with their several degrees or shades, and mixtures, as green, scarlet, purple, sea-green, and the rest, come in only by the eyes...
- (figuratively) A subtle variation in a concept.shades of meaning
- Thomas De Quincey (1785-1859)new shades and combinations of thought
- Thomas Macaulay (1800-1859)Every shade of religious and political opinion has its own headquarters.
- (figuratively) An aspect that is reminiscent of something.shades of Groucho
- (archaic or literary) A ghost.Too long have I been haunted by that shade.
- John Dryden (1631-1700)Swift as thought the flitting shade
Thro' air his momentary journey made. - (archaic) A creature that is partially human and partially angel.He was attacked by a shade.
- (countable) A postage stamp showing an obvious difference in colour/color to the original printing and needing a separate catalogue/catalog entry.
- (uncountable, gay slang) Subtle insults.throw shade
Origin 2
From Old English sceadwian.
Verb
- (transitive) To shield from light.The old oak tree shaded the lawn in the heat of the day.
- (transitive) To alter slightly.You'll need to shade your shot slightly to the left.Most politicians will shade the truth if it helps them.
- (intransitive) To vary slightly, particularly in color.The hillside was bright green, shading towards gold in the drier areas.
- (intransitive, baseball, of a defensive player) To move slightly from one's normal fielding position.Jones will shade a little to the right on this pitch count.
- (transitive) To darken, particularly in drawing.I draw contours first, gradually shading in midtones and shadows.
- (transitive, obsolete) To shelter; to cover from injury; to protect; to screen.
- ShakespeareEre in our own house I do shade my head.
- (transitive, obsolete) To present a shadow or image of; to shadow forth; to represent.
- Spensergoddess in her person cunningly did shade
That part of Justice which is Equity.