grays

Grays, or gray, refers to colors on the luminance spectrum between black and white. They cover a range from light to dark and are produced by mixing black and white in varying proportions. In design and printing, grayscale describes images without color saturation. Spelling varies by region: gray is common in American English, grey in British English.

In ufology and popular culture, the term the Grays denotes a group of alleged extraterrestrials described as small humanoids with gray or pale skin, large heads, and almond-shaped eyes. Reports and depictions vary widely, and there is no scientific evidence to support their existence. The Grays have become a fixture of modern folklore and science fiction, influencing film, television, and literature.

Gray matter is a term in neuroscience for regions of the central nervous system rich in neuronal cell bodies, unmyelinated fibers, and capillaries. In the brain, gray matter includes areas involved in muscle control, sensory perception, memory, emotion, and decision-making. Its appearance differs from white matter, which mainly consists of myelinated axons and appears lighter. The contrast between gray and white matter helps delineate brain structures and functions.

Other uses of the term include its use in describing hair color as grays or gray hairs, often associated with aging. The plural form grays can also appear in surnames, place names, and idiomatic expressions such as “gray areas,” which describe matters lacking clear boundaries.