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n. 1. a. A drawing medium of dried paste made of ground pigments and a water-based binder that is manufactured in crayon form. b. A crayon of this material. 2. a. A picture or sketch drawn with this type of crayon. b. The art or process of drawing with pastels. 3. A soft delicate hue; a pale color: a room done all in pastels. 4. A sketchy or brief prose work. adj. 1. Of, relating to, or made of pastel. 2. Pale and soft in color. [French, from Italian pastello, material made into a paste, from Late Latin pastellus, woad dye, diminutive of pasta, paste; see PASTE1.]  (click for a larger image) pastelMother and Child by Mary Cassatt |
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