pall
pall Lexical Profile
pall Game Scores & Validity
• noun
A dark cloud or covering of smoke, dust, or similar matter that obscures the sky.
"A thick pall of smoke hung over the industrial valley after the factory fire."
A pervasive atmosphere of gloom, fear, or sadness that seems to压 or weigh down on a situation.
"The sudden announcement of the company's closure cast a pall over the annual holiday banquet."
A heavy cloth, often of velvet, spread over a coffin, hearse, or tomb.
"Six attendants walked beside the casket, which was draped in a dark velvet pall."
• verb
To become less appealing, interesting, or enjoyable through prolonged familiarity or excess.
"The novelty of living out of a suitcase quickly began to pall after three months of constant travel."
Word Nuance & Usage
Do not confuse 'pall' (a funeral cloth or gloomy atmosphere; to become tiresome) with its homophones 'pawl' (a pivoted catch on a ratchet wheel) or 'paul'.
• Rhymes for pall
• Nearby Words
Word Origin & Etymology
The noun comes from Old English 'pæll' (a rich cloth or cloak), from Latin 'pallium' (cloak). The verb is a shortened form of 'appall', originating from Old French 'apalir' (to grow pale).