Shade (shād), 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.

&fist; 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. Darkness; obscurity; -- often in the plural.

The shades of night were falling fast.

3. 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.

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.

The Lord is thy shade upon thy right hand.

Sleep under a fresh tree's shade.

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

5. Shadow. [Poetic.]

Envy will merit, as its shade, pursue.

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.

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

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

8. 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.

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.

New shades and combinations of thought.

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

Shade (?), 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.

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

2. 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.

3. To obscure; to dim the brightness of.

Thou shad'st
The full blaze of thy beams.

4. To pain in obscure colors; to darken.

5. To mark with gradations of light or color.

6. 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.

Shade (?), 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.

Shade (shād), 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.

&fist; 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. Darkness; obscurity; -- often in the plural.

The shades of night were falling fast.

3. 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.

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.

The Lord is thy shade upon thy right hand.

Sleep under a fresh tree's shade.

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

5. Shadow. [Poetic.]

Envy will merit, as its shade, pursue.

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.

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

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

8. 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.

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.

New shades and combinations of thought.

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

Shade (?), 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.

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

2. 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.

3. To obscure; to dim the brightness of.

Thou shad'st
The full blaze of thy beams.

4. To pain in obscure colors; to darken.

5. To mark with gradations of light or color.

6. 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.

Shade (?), 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.

• (uncountable) Darkness where light, particularly sunlight, is blocked.
       The old oak tree gave shade in the heat of the day.
  
• (countable) Something that blocks light, particularly in a window.
       Close the shade, please, it's too bright in here.
  
• (countable) A variety of a colour/color, in particular one obtained by adding black (compare tint).
       I've painted my room in five lovely shades of pink and chartreuse.
  
• (figurative) A subtle variation in a concept.
       shades of meaning
  
• (archaic) A ghost.
       Too long have I been haunted by that shade.
  
• To shield from light.
        The old oak tree shaded the lawn in the heat of the day.
  
• To alter slightly.
        You'll need to shade your shot slightly to the left.
        Most politicians will shade the truth if it helps them.
  
• To vary slightly, particularly in color.
        The hillside was bright green, shading towards gold in the drier areas.
  
• (baseball) When a defensive player moves slightly from his normal fielding position.
        Jones will shade a little to the right on this pitch count.