shade

Everyday

1. Shade is an area where the sunlight is blocked, so it is cooler and darker: sit in the shade. tree →
2. A shade is a lighter or darker kind of a colour: a shade of blue. tree →
3. A shade is something that blocks light, like a lampshade or a window shade (USA blind). tree →
4. To shade something means to protect it from light, or to colour in part of a picture or diagram. tree →
5. Shades (informal) are sunglasses. tree →

In the lessons

In health and safety lessons stay in the shade in the middle of the day when the sun is strongest, along with hat, sunscreen and water (Slip, Slop, Slap in Australia and New Zealand). In art and maths, shading parts of a shape shows fractions: shade 3 of 4 squares to show three quarters. In science trees give shade and keep places cooler. Phrases: in the shade, shade of colour, shade your eyes, lampshade, put in the shade (make look worse).

Examples

• Let's sit in the shade of that big tree. tree →
• Play in the shade when the sun is hottest. tree →
• Shade one half of the circle. tree →
• Her dress is a lovely shade of green. tree →
• He shaded his eyes from the sun with his hand. tree →
• The new lampshade makes the room cosy. tree →
• Shade the squares to show two fifths. tree →
• Dogs need shade and water on hot days. tree →
• It was very pleasant in the cool shade. tree →

Note

«Shade» (an area out of the sun, often pleasant) and «shadow» (the dark shape made when something blocks light) are different: you sit in the shade; your body casts a shadow. In maths problems «shade three quarters» means colour in 3 of 4 equal parts.

In Jewish tradition

In the Writings "shades" are the spirits of the dead, who live in the underworld below the waters. The psalmist asks whether they can rise and praise God, and Proverbs warns that a wrong path leads down to them.

Interpretation. The tradition reads these verses as showing that the dead cannot praise God as the living do, so life is the time to give Him thanks.

Examples

• Or shall the shades arise and give Thee thanks? (Writings PSA.88.11, JPS 1917) tree →
• The shades tremble beneath the waters and the inhabitants thereof. (Writings JOB.26.5, JPS 1917) tree →
• For her house sinketh down unto death, and her paths unto the shades; (Writings PRO.2.18, JPS 1917) tree →

Note

«Shade» (an area out of the sun, often pleasant) and «shadow» (the dark shape made when something blocks light) are different: you sit in the shade; your body casts a shadow. In maths problems «shade three quarters» means colour in 3 of 4 equal parts.