GOING WHITE Meaning and
Definition
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Going white refers to the process of turning pale or losing color, typically referring to a person's complexion or hair. This term can be used in a literal or figurative sense to describe various situations or reactions.
In a literal sense, going white is observed when a person's face or skin loses its normal pigmentation, causing it to appear pale or colorless. This can be caused by various factors such as fear, shock, surprise, illness, or decreased blood circulation. For instance, when a person receives shocking news or experiences a frightening event, their body may react by releasing adrenaline, which can cause blood vessels to constrict and make the individual's face go white or pale.
Figuratively, going white can be used to describe a similar reaction in which a person becomes pale due to strong emotions or thoughts. For example, if someone is extremely shocked or surprised by an unexpected turn of events, they may "go white with shock," meaning they visibly lose color in their face due to the intensity of their reaction.
In addition, going white can also refer to the graying or whitening of hair. As people age, their hair follicles produce less melanin, the pigment responsible for hair color. This gradual decrease in melanin causes hair to go white or gray over time.
Overall, going white encompasses both the physical phenomenon of losing color in the face or skin and the natural graying or whitening of hair as individuals experience different emotional, physiological, or aging processes.
Common Misspellings for GOING WHITE
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Etymology of GOING WHITE
The phrase "going white" typically refers to a person's face or hair turning white, usually as a result of fear, shock, or a great amount of stress. The etymology of this phrase can be analyzed by examining the individual words.
The word "going" in this context means to become, changing from one state to another. The origin of "going" can be traced back to the Old English word "gān", meaning "to go" or "to journey". Over time, it acquired various meanings, including "to change in condition" or "to become".
The term "white" comes from the Old English word "hwīt", which referred to the color white. It is related to other Germanic languages, such as Old High German "hwīz" and Old Norse "hvītr". The word "white" has been used to describe whiteness and lightness in various contexts.
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