Emily Dickinson Lexicon

SHADE, v.t. [Sax. sceadan, gesceadan, to separate, to divide, to shade.]

1. To shelter or screen from light by intercepting its rays; sail when applied to the rays of the sun, it signifies to shelter from light and heat; as, a large tree shades the plants under its branches; shaded vegetables rarely come to perfection. I went to crop the sylvan scenes, / And shade our altars with their leafy greens. – Dryden.
2. To overspread with darkness or obscurity; to obscure. Thou shad'st / The full blaze of thy beams. – Milton.
3. To shelter; to hide. Ere in our own house I do shade my bead. – Shak.
4. To cover from injury; to protect; to screen. – Milton.
5. To paint in obscure colors; to darken.
6. To mask with gradations of color; as, the shading pencil. – Milton.
7. To darken; to obscure.