Emily Dickinson Lexicon

SHADE, n. [Sax. scad, scead, sced, shade; sceadan, to separate, divide or shade; G. schatten, shadow, and to shade; D. schaduw, schaduwen; Dan. skatterer, to shade a picture; W. ysgawd, a shade; ysgodi, to shade or shelter; cysgodi, id.; Corn. skod or skez; Ir. sgath, and sgatham, to cut off, to shade. The Gr. σκια is probably the same word contracted, and perhaps σκοτος, darkness. In the sense of cutting off or separating, this word coincides exactly, as it does in elements, with the G. scheiden, L. scindo, for scido, which is formed on cædo, to strike off. Hence Sax. gescead, distinction, L. scutum, a shield, Sp. escudo; that which cuts off or intercepts. Owen deduces the Welsh word from cawd, something that incloses; but probably the sense is that which cuts off or defends.]

1. Literally, the interception, cutting off or interruption of the rays of light; hence, the obscurity which is caused by such interception. 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. Hence, when we say, let us resort to 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 extent.
2. Darkness; obscurity; as, the shades of night. The shade of the earth constitutes the darkness of night.
3. An obscure place, properly in a grove or close wood, which precludes the sun's rays; and hence, a secluded retreat. Let us seek out some desolate shade, and there / Weep our sad bosoms empty. – Wick.
4. A screen; something that intercepts light or heat.
5. Protection; shelter. [See Shadow.]
6. In painting, the dark part of a picture. – Dryden.
7. Degree or gradation of light. White, red, yellow, blue, with their several degrees or shades and mixtures, as green, come only in by the eyes. – Locke.
8. A shadow. [See Shadow.] Envy will merit, as its shade, pursue. – Pope. [This is allowable in poetry.]
9. The soul, after its separation from the body; so called because the ancients supposed it to be perceptible to the sight, not to the touch; a spirit; a ghost; as, the shades of departed heroes. Swift as thought the flitting shade. – Dryden.