pallor

American  

[pal-er] / ˈpæl ər /

noun

1. unusual or extreme paleness, as from fear, ill health, or death; wanness.

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pallor British  

/ ˈpælə /

noun

1. a pale condition, esp when unnatural

   fear gave his face a deathly pallor

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Etymology

Origin of pallor

1650–60; < Latin: paleness, equivalent to pall ( ēre ) to be pale + -or -or ¹

Explanation

When you’ve got the flu, that pale, sickly color of your skin is called a pallor. Other causes of pallor include shock, stress, or 10 days spent indoors trying to beat your new video game. Pallor comes from the Latin word pallere, which just means to “be pale.” That’s easy enough to remember, right? Pallor, pale. Don’t make yourself sick trying to memorize it, or you might get an unhealthy pallor from the strain.

Example Sentences

“The fence is way over the top — tasteless,” said Gerald Pallor, 73, of Saugerties, a longtime friend of the Richards family.

From New York Times • Jul. 31, 2021

Pallor and fatigue didn’t seem bad enough to make someone miss so much school.

From "Kira-Kira" by Cynthia Kadohata

By that time Fear and Pallor had struck terror into the very marrow of barbarian bones.

From The Lords of the Ghostland A History of the Ideal by Saltus, Edgar

Pallor as of death overspread his sallow face.

From The Lonely House by Streckfuss, Adolph

Pallor was on the sunken face, and exhaustion in the trembling hands and unsteady gait.

From A Texas Ranger by Raine, William MacLeod