verb
- becomes lighter in color or less bright
- becomes less important or impressive by comparison
noun
- pointed wooden stakes used to make a fence
- boundaries or limits of acceptable behavior
Usage: often in phrase ‘beyond the pale’
Examples
- Her face pales when she hears bad news.
- The sunset pales the artificial lights of the city.
- His achievements pale in comparison to hers.
- The wooden pales formed a sturdy fence around the garden.
- Such behavior is beyond the pales of decent society.
- The sky pales at dawn before the sun rises.
- Even the best restaurant pales next to home cooking.