- pall (n.)
- O.E. pæll "rich cloth, cloak, altar cloth," from L. pallium "cloak, covering," in Tertullian, the garment worn by Christians instead of the Roman toga; related to pallo "robe, cloak," palla "long upper garment of Roman women," perhaps from the root of pellis "skin." Notion of "cloth spread over a coffin" (c.1440) led to fig. sense of "dark, gloomy mood" (1742).
- pall (v.)
- "become tiresome," 1700, from M.E. pallen "to become faint, fail in strength" (late 14c.), aphetic form of appallen "to dismay, fill with horror or disgust" (see appall).