Definition of "sallow" in Anglais

adjective

1. (of skin) Yellowish.

2. (of a person) Having skin (especially on the face) of a sickly pale colour.

3. (of objects or dim light) Having a similar pale, yellowish colour.

4. Foul; murky; sickly.

verb

1. (intransitive) To become sallow.

2. (transitive) To cause (someone or something) to become sallow.

   • 1835, Fanny Kemble (as Frances Anne Butler), Journal, London: John Murray, Volume 1, entry for 15 September, 1832, p. 105, footnote, The climate of this country is the scape-goat upon which all ill looks and ill health of the ladies is laid; but while they are brought up as effeminately as they are, take as little exercise, live in rooms like ovens during the winter, and marry as early as they do, it will appear evident that many causes combine with an extremely variable climate, to sallow their complexions, and destroy their constitutions.

noun

1. A European willow, Salix caprea, that has broad leaves, large catkins and tough wood.

   • c. 1553, Humphrey Llwyd (translator), The Treasury of Healthe, London: William Coplande, Remedies, Chapter 44, I[f] a man eate the flowers of a sallow or wyllowe tree, or of a Poplet tree, they wyl make cold al the heate of carnall lust in hym.

2. A willow twig or branch.

   • 1564, William Bullein, A Dialogue Bothe Pleasaunte and Pietifull Wherein Is a Goodly Regimente against the Feuer Pestilence with a Consolacion and Comfort against Death, London: John Kingston, [p. 22b], […] set Sallowes about the bedde, besprinkled with vineger and rose water.
   • 1767, Francis Fawkes (translator), The Idylliums of Theocritus, London, for the author, Idyllium 16, p. 156, For lo! their spears the Syracusians wield, And bend the pliant sallow to a shield: