Pas"tel (?), n. [F.; cf. It. pastello. Cf. Pastil.]

1.

A crayon made of a paste composed of a color ground with gum water.

[Sometimes incorrectly written pastil.] "Charming heads in pastel."

W. Black.

2. Bot.

A plant affording a blue dye; the woad (Isatis tinctoria); also, the dye itself.

<--3. a drawing using pastel, or of a pastel shade. 4. the art or process of drawing with pastels. 5. any of various light or pale colors. 6. a light literary work, as a sketch. -->

 

© Webster 1913.