sal·low / ˈsalō/ • adj. (-low·er, -low·est) (of a person's face or complexion) of an unhealthy yellow or pale brown color.• v. [tr.] rare make sallow.DERIVATIVES: sal·low·ish adj.sal·low·ness n.sal·low² • n. chiefly Brit. a willow tree, esp. one of a low-growing or shrubby kind. DERIVATIVES: sal·low·y adj.

sallow1 willow. OE. (Angl.) salh (repr. directly by dial. saugh, †salfe XIV) :- Gmc. *salχaz, rel. to OHG. salaha and ON. selja, and outside Gmc. to L. salix, Gr. helíkē, OIr. sail. The form sallow (ME. salwe) descends from OE. inflexional salg-.

Sallow

A willow tree or shrub. Rods made from this particular wood were much in use among the ancient Scythians and the Alani for purposes of augurial divination. The magician chose fine straight wands, wrote certain characters on them, and threw them on a white cloth. From the way in which they fell the magician gained the desired information.

sallow2 of a sickly or brownish yellow. OE. salu dusky, dark = MDu. salu, discoloured, dirty, OHG. salo dark-coloured, ON. sǫlr yellow :- Gmc. *salwa-.