palidecer (spanish) - meaning, definition, translation, pronunciation

Part of Speech

Palidecer is a verb in Spanish.

Phonetic Transcription

/paliˈðeθeɾ/ (in Spain)
/paliˈðesɛɾ/ (in Latin America)

Translation Options into English

• To pale
• To turn pale

Meaning and Usage

Palidecer means to become pale or to lose color, often due to fear, illness, or shock. It is used in both literal contexts (such as someone becoming pale due to a health concern) and figurative contexts (indicating a loss of vitality or vibrance in a situation).

The word is relatively common and is used more frequently in written contexts, such as literature and formal writing, compared to oral speech. However, it can still be heard in spoken Spanish, especially in emotional or dramatic situations.

Example Sentences

1. Al escuchar la noticia, empezó a palidecer.

2. Upon hearing the news, he started to pale.

3. La niña comenzó a palidecer después de ver la película de terror.

4. The girl began to pale after watching the horror movie.

Idiomatic Expressions

While palidecer itself is not commonly used in many idiomatic expressions, it can appear in various contexts implying emotional or physical reactions.

Example Idiomatic Expressions

1. Palidecer de miedo
   "Cuando vio la serpiente, palideció de miedo."

2. "When he saw the snake, he paled with fear."

3. Palidecer ante la situación
   "Ella palideció ante la situación inesperada."

4. "She paled in the face of the unexpected situation."

5. Palidecer de vergüenza
   "Se palideció de vergüenza cuando todos la miraron."

6. "She paled with embarrassment when everyone looked at her."

Etymology

Palidecer comes from the Latin word pālĭdescĕre, which means "to grow pale." The root pālus means "pale" or "paleness." Over time, it adapted to the modern Spanish form, reflecting changes in language and phonetics.

Synonyms and Antonyms

Synonyms: - Deslucir - Empalidecer

Antonyms: - Enrojecer (to redden) - Colorarse (to color/get rosy)

This comprehensive overview provides insights into the verb palidecer, its usage, etymology, and related expressions, valuable for understanding its role in the Spanish language.