sallow

views updated May 29 2018

sal·low / ˈsalō/ • adj. (-low·er, -low·est) (of a person's face or complexion) of an unhealthy yellow or pale brown color.• v. [tr.] rare make sallow.DERIVATIVES: sal·low·ish adj.sal·low·ness n.sal·low2 • n. chiefly Brit. a willow tree, esp. one of a low-growing or shrubby kind. DERIVATIVES: sal·low·y adj.

sallow

views updated Jun 27 2018

sallow1 willow. OE. (Angl.) salh (repr. directly by dial. saugh, †salfe XIV) :- Gmc. *salχaz, rel. to OHG. salaha and ON. selja, and outside Gmc. to L. salix, Gr. helíkē, OIr. sail. The form sallow (ME. salwe) descends from OE. inflexional salg-.

Sallow

views updated May 17 2018

Sallow

A willow tree or shrub. Rods made from this particular wood were much in use among the ancient Scythians and the Alani for purposes of augurial divination. The magician chose fine straight wands, wrote certain characters on them, and threw them on a white cloth. From the way in which they fell the magician gained the desired information.

sallow

views updated Jun 08 2018

sallow2 of a sickly or brownish yellow. OE. salu dusky, dark = MDu. salu, discoloured, dirty, OHG. salo dark-coloured, ON. sǫlr yellow :- Gmc. *salwa-.