(a) Of color: grayish, leaden; also, dark, black and blue (as a bruise); also, whitish gray; as noun: a whitish gray color [2nd quot., 3rd occurrence]; (b) lusterless, lacking brilliance, dim; (c) without vivid coloration, indeterminately dark, grayish, etc. in appearance; also, of an ominous or a gloomy appearance, unwholesomely or unappealingly dark-hued.

(a) Rendered ashen by disease, discomfort, distress, etc., lacking ruddiness or healthy color, sickly looking; pale and ~; (b) discolored or darkened by bruising, decay, etc., black and blue; ~ stroke (wound), a damaging injury, a bruise; (c) ?unattractively dark-skinned, swarthy.

In conventional comparisons: ~ as (the) led, etc.; ~ as asshes, a complexion pale as ashes.

Fig. Of deeds: dark, evil; of sleep: ?unhealthily heavy, troubled; of tears: ?sorrowful, producing pallor; of ways: ?full of sorrow, woeful.

In surnames and possible place name [see Smith PNElem. 2.245].