Word: shade Part of Speech: noun Etymology: Etymology tree Proto-Indo-European *(s)ḱeh₃- Proto-Indo-European *(s)ḱh₃tús Proto-Germanic *skaduz Proto-West Germanic *skadu Old English sċeadu Middle English schade English shade Inherited from Middle English schade, from Old English sċeadu, from Proto-West Germanic *skadu, from Proto-Germanic *skaduz, from Proto-Indo-European *(s)ḱh₃tús, from *(s)ḱeh₃-. Doublet of shadow. Cognate with Ancient Greek σκότος (skótos) (whence English scoto-) and σκιά (skiá) (whence English scia-, and uncertainly via σκίουρος (skíouros) English squirrel). Pronunciation: /ʃeɪd/ 1. Darkness where light, particularly sunlight, is blocked. Labels: uncountable Example: The old oak tree gave shade in the heat of the day. Example: Temps rose to a sweltering 40 degrees Celsius in the shade. 2. Something that blocks light, particularly in a window. Labels: countable Example: Close the shade, please: it's too bright in here. Example: Also, people with darker skin tend to have lower blood levels of vitamin D because the pigment (melanin) acts like a shade, reducing production of vitamin D (and also reducing damaging effects of sunlight on skin, including skin cancer). 3. A variety of a color, in particular one obtained by adding black (compare tint). Labels: countable Example: I've painted my room in five lovely shades of pink and chartreuse. Example: 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[…] 4. A subtle variation in a concept. Labels: countable, figuratively, uncountable Example: shades of meaning Example: new shades and combinations of thought 5. An aspect that is reminiscent of something. Labels: countable, figuratively, in-plural, uncountable Example: shades of Groucho Marx 6. A very small degree of a quantity, or variety of meaning Labels: countable, uncountable Example: That is a shade too close. Example: Mrs. Rhodes who (so I gathered from Mr. Petherick's careful language) was perhaps just a shade of a hypochondriac, had retired to bed immediately after dinner. 7. A ghost or specter; a spirit. Labels: countable, literary, uncountable Example: Too long have I been haunted by that shade. Example: The adventurer was attacked by a shade. 8. A postage stamp showing an obvious difference in colour/color to the original printing and needing a separate catalogue/catalog entry. Labels: countable 9. Subtle insults. Labels: uncountable Example: throw shade Example: Why did you paint your room chartreuse? No shade; I'm genuinely curious. 10. A cover around or above a light bulb, a lampshade. Labels: countable Example: Lighting was unimaginative for the standard stock with naked tungsten filament bulbs and metal reflectors. However, all compartments had individual reading lights above the seats with attractive glass shades. 11. A candle-shade. Labels: countable, historical, uncountable Example: I am now finishing this letter by candle-light, with the help of a handkerchief tied over the shade. Example: His tent is furnished with a good large bed, mattress, pillow, &c., a few camp-stools or chairs, a folding table, a pair of shades for his candles, six or seven trunks with table equipage, his stock of linen (at least 24 shirts); some dozens of wine, brandy, and gin; tea, sugar, and biscuit; and a hamper of live poultry and his milch-goat.