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.