pastel

Definition

Any of several subdued tints of colors, usually associated with pink, peach, yellow, green, blue, and lavender.

Etymology

Borrowed from French pastel, from Italian pastello (“pastel”), from Medieval Latin pastellum (“dough, paste”), from Latin pasta (“dough, paste”), ultimately from Ancient Greek πάστη (pástē, “dough, paste”). Doublet of pastegh, pastiglia, pastila, pastilla, and pastille.

Example Sentences

• "Wool was dyed in the pastel vat."