Pale (pāl), a. [Compar.Paler (pāl″ẽr); superl.Palest.] [F. pâle, fr. pâlir to turn pale, L. pallere to be or look pale. Cf. Appall, Fallow, Pall, v. i., Pallid.]
1. Wanting in color; not ruddy; dusky white; pallid; wan; as, a pale face; a pale red; a pale blue. “Pale as a forpined ghost.” Chaucer.
Speechless he stood and pale. Milton.
They are not of complexion red or pale. T. Randolph.
2. Not bright or brilliant; of a faint luster or hue; dim; as, the pale light of the moon.
The night, methinks, is but the daylight sick;
It looks a little paler. Shak.
☞ Pale is often used in the formation of self-explaining compounds; as, pale-colored, pale-eyed, pale-faced, pale-looking, etc.