n. [ OE. shade, shadewe, schadewe, AS. sceadu, scead; akin to OS. skado, D. schaduw, OHG. scato, (gen. scatewes), G. schatten, Goth. skadus, Ir. & Gael. sgath, and probably to Gr. sko`tos darkness. √162. Cf. Shadow, Shed a hat. ] 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. [ 1913 Webster ]

☞ 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. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Darkness; obscurity; -- often in the plural. [ 1913 Webster ]

The shades of night were falling fast. Longfellow. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. An obscure place; a spot not exposed to light; hence, a secluded retreat. [ 1913 Webster ]

Let us seek out some desolate shade, and there
Weep our sad bosoms empty. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

4. 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. [ 1913 Webster ]

The Lord is thy shade upon thy right hand. Ps. cxxi. 5. [ 1913 Webster ]

Sleep under a fresh tree's shade. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

Let the arched knife well sharpened now assail the spreading shades of vegetables. J. Philips. [ 1913 Webster ]

5. Shadow. [ Poetic. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

Envy will merit, as its shade, pursue. Pope. [ 1913 Webster ]

6. 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. [ 1913 Webster ]

Swift as thought the flitting shade
Thro' air his momentary journey made. Dryden. [ 1913 Webster ]

7. (Painting, Drawing, etc.) The darker portion of a picture; a less illuminated part. See Def. 1, above. [ 1913 Webster ]

8. Degree or variation of color, as darker or lighter, stronger or paler; as, a delicate shade of pink. [ 1913 Webster ]

White, red, yellow, blue, with their several degrees, or shades and mixtures, as green only in by the eyes. Locke. [ 1913 Webster ]

9. 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. [ 1913 Webster ]

New shades and combinations of thought. De Quincey. [ 1913 Webster ]

Every shade of religious and political opinion has its own headquarters. Macaulay. [ 1913 Webster ]

The Shades, the Nether World; the supposed abode of souls after leaving the body. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. i. [ See Shade, n. ] 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. [ Webster 1913 Suppl. ]

v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Shaded; p. pr. & vb. n. Shading. ] 1. To shelter or screen by intercepting the rays of light; to keep off illumination from. Milton. [ 1913 Webster ]

I went to crop the sylvan scenes,
And shade our altars with their leafy greens. Dryden. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. To shelter; to cover from injury; to protect; to screen; to hide; as, to shade one's eyes. [ 1913 Webster ]

Ere in our own house I do shade my head. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. To obscure; to dim the brightness of. [ 1913 Webster ]

Thou shad'st
The full blaze of thy beams. Milton. [ 1913 Webster ]

4. To pain in obscure colors; to darken. [ 1913 Webster ]

5. To mark with gradations of light or color. [ 1913 Webster ]

6. To present a shadow or image of; to shadow forth; to represent. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

[ The goddess ] in her person cunningly did shade
That part of Justice which is Equity. Spenser. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. Full of shade; shady. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. Being without shade; not shaded. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. One who, or that which, shades. [ 1913 Webster ]