SHADE, n. [L. scutum, a shield.]

1. Literally, the interception, cutting of or interruption of the rays of light; hence, the obscurity which is caused by such interception. Shad differs from shadow, as it implies no particular form or definite limit. whereas a shadow represents in form the object which intercepts the light. Hence when we say, let us resort to the shade of a tree, we have no reference to its form; but when we speak of measuring a pyramid or other object by its shadow, we have reference to its extent.

2. Darkness; obscurity; as the shades of night.

3. An obscure place, properly in a grove or close wood, which precludes the sun's rays; an hence, a secluded retreat.

Let us seek out some desolate shade, and there

Weep our sad bosoms empty. Shak.

4. A screen; something that intercepts light or heat.

5. Protection; shelter. [See Shadow.]

6. In painting, the dark part of the picture.

7. Degree or gradation of light.

White, red, yellow, blue, with their several degrees, or shades and mixtures, as green, come only in by the eyes. Locke.

8. A shadow. [See Shadow.]

Envy will merit, as its shade, pursue. Pope. [This is allowable in poetry.]

9. The soul, after its separation from the body; so called because the ancients supposed it to be perceptible to the sight, not to the touch; a spirit; aghost; as the shades of departed heroes.

Swift as thought, the flitting shade- Dryden.

SHADE, v.t.

1. To shelter or screen from light by intercepting its rays; and when applied to the rays of the sun, it segnifies to shelter from light and heat; as, a large tree shades the plants under its branches; shaded vegetables rarely come to perfection.

1. Literally, the interception, cutting off or interruption of the rays of light; hence, the obscurity which is caused by such interception. Shade differs from shadow, as it implies no particular form or definite limit; whereas a shadow represents in form the object which intercepts the light. Hence, when we say, let us resort to the shade of a tree, we have no reference to its form; but when we speak of measuring a pyramid or other object by its shadow, we have reference to its extent.
2. Darkness; obscurity; as, the shades of night. The shade of the earth constitutes the darkness of night.
3. An obscure place, properly in a grove or close wood, which precludes the sun's rays; and hence, a secluded retreat. Let us seek out some desolate shade, and there / Weep our sad bosoms empty. – Wick.
4. A screen; something that intercepts light or heat.
5. Protection; shelter. [See Shadow.]
6. In painting, the dark part of a picture. – Dryden.
7. Degree or gradation of light. White, red, yellow, blue, with their several degrees or shades and mixtures, as green, come only in by the eyes. – Locke.
8. A shadow. [See Shadow.] Envy will merit, as its shade, pursue. – Pope. [This is allowable in poetry.]
9. The soul, after its separation from the body; so called because the ancients supposed it to be perceptible to the sight, not to the touch; a spirit; a ghost; as, the shades of departed heroes. Swift as thought the flitting shade. – Dryden.

1. To shelter or screen from light by intercepting its rays; sail when applied to the rays of the sun, it signifies to shelter from light and heat; as, a large tree shades the plants under its branches; shaded vegetables rarely come to perfection. I went to crop the sylvan scenes, / And shade our altars with their leafy greens. – Dryden.
2. To overspread with darkness or obscurity; to obscure. Thou shad'st / The full blaze of thy beams. – Milton.
3. To shelter; to hide. Ere in our own house I do shade my bead. – Shak.
4. To cover from injury; to protect; to screen. – Milton.
5. To paint in obscure colors; to darken.
6. To mask with gradations of color; as, the shading pencil. – Milton.
7. To darken; to obscure.

1. Comparative obscurity owing to interception or interruption of the rays of light; partial darkness caused by the intervention of something between the space contemplated and the source of light.
   
   

   * Shade differs from shadow as it implies no particular form or definite limit; whereas a shadow represents in form the object which intercepts the light. When we speak of the shade of a tree, we have no reference to its form; but when we speak of measuring a pyramid or other object by its shadow, we have reference to its form and extent.

2. To shelter or screen by intercepting the rays of light] to keep off illumination from.
   
   
   Milton.

   I went to crop the sylvan scenes,
   And shade our altars with their leafy greens. Dryden.

3. To undergo or exhibit minute difference or variation, as of color, meaning, expression, etc.; to pass by slight changes; -- used chiefly with a preposition, as into, away, off.
   
   

   This small group will be most conveniently treated with the emotional division, into which it shades. Edmund Gurney.

4. Darkness; obscurity; -- often in the plural.
   
   

   The shades of night were falling fast. Longfellow.

5. To shelter; to cover from injury; to protect; to screen; to hide; as, to shade one's eyes.
   
   

   Ere in our own house I do shade my head. Shak.

6. An obscure place; a spot not exposed to light; hence, a secluded retreat.
   
   

   Let us seek out some desolate shade, and there
   Weep our sad bosoms empty. Shak.

7. To obscure; to dim the brightness of.
   
   

   Thou shad'st
   The full blaze of thy beams. Milton.

8. That which intercepts, or shelters from, light or the direct rays of the sun; hence, also, that which protects from heat or currents of air; a screen; protection; shelter; cover; as, a lamp shade.
   
   

   The Lord is thy shade upon thy right hand. Ps. cxxi. 5.

   Sleep under a fresh tree's shade. Shak.

   Let the arched knife well sharpened now assail the spreading shades of vegetables. J. Philips.

9. To pain in obscure colors; to darken.
10. Shadow.
    
    
    [Poetic.]

    Envy will merit, as its shade, pursue. Pope.

11. To mark with gradations of light or color.
12. The soul after its separation from the body; -- so called because the ancients it to be perceptible to the sight, though not to the touch; a spirit; a ghost; as, the shades of departed heroes.
    
    

    Swift as thought the flitting shade
    Thro' air his momentary journey made. Dryden.

13. To present a shadow or image of; to shadow forth; to represent.
    
    
    [Obs.]

    [The goddess] in her person cunningly did shade
    That part of Justice which is Equity. Spenser.

14. The darker portion of a picture; a less illuminated part. See Def. 1, above.
15. Degree or variation of color, as darker or lighter, stronger or paler; as, a delicate shade of pink.
    
    

    White, red, yellow, blue, with their several degrees, or shades and mixtures, as green only in by the eyes. Locke.

16. A minute difference or variation, as of thought, belief, expression, etc.; also, the quality or degree of anything which is distinguished from others similar by slight differences; as, the shades of meaning in synonyms.
    
    

    New shades and combinations of thought. De Quincey.

    Every shade of religious and political opinion has its own headquarters. Macaulay.

    The Shades, the Nether World; the supposed abode of souls after leaving the body.