ʃeɪd 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. øin the shade in comparative obscurity. øøshadeless adj. [OE sc(e)adu f. Gmc]
