Palely: meaning, definitions and examples

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palely

 

[ ˈpeɪli ]

Adverb
Context #1 | Adverb

appearance, brightness

Palely is an adverb describing a manner in which something is done in a pale or light manner. It often refers to the lack of color or vibrancy in someone's face or in an object. This word can also indicate a weak or feeble intensity, suggesting that something is not as strong or vivid as it could be. In literature, it might be used to describe the appearance of a character or the ambiance of a scene, conveying a sense of dullness or lack of vitality.

Synonyms

dimly, faintly, lightly, weakly

Examples of usage

  • She palely smiled at the compliment.
  • The walls were painted palely, giving a soft look to the room.
  • He walked palely through the fog, almost disappearing.
  • The flowers bloomed palely in the shade.

Translations

Translations of the word "palely" in other languages:

🇵🇹 pálido

🇮🇳 पीला

🇩🇪 blass

🇮🇩 pucat

🇺🇦 блідий

🇵🇱 blady

🇯🇵 青白い

🇫🇷 pâle

🇪🇸 pálido

🇹🇷 solgun

🇰🇷 창백한

🇸🇦 شاحب

🇨🇿 bledý

🇸🇰 bledý

🇨🇳 苍白的

🇸🇮 bled

🇮🇸 bleikur

🇰🇿 боз

🇬🇪 ბლანტი

🇦🇿 solğun

🇲🇽 pálido

Etymology

The word 'palely' derives from the adjective 'pale,' which originates from the Latin word 'pallidus,' meaning 'pale' or 'faint.' The use of 'pale' in English can be traced back to the Old English 'pæle,' which conveyed a sense of loss of color or brightness. The transition from 'pale' to 'palely' as an adverb followed the common English pattern where adjectives are modified to form adverbs by adding '-ly.' This suffix is used to denote a manner or degree related to the adjective it modifies. The term has been utilized in various literary contexts, often to invoke imagery associated with weakness, illness, or a lack of vibrancy. The history of the term reflects a broader thematic connection to emotions and states of being, as a paler hue is often associated with sadness or fear.