lilywhite

Lilywhite refers to a pale complexion, often associated with someone who has fair skin and lacks the rosy or tanned color commonly seen in those with more sun exposure or darker undertones. The term is derived from the color of the lily flower, which is typically white and suggests purity and paleness. Historically, a lilywhite complexion was sometimes considered a sign of nobility or social standing, as it indicated a life spent indoors away from manual labor or the sun. The adjective can be used to describe people, but also sometimes inanimate objects or surfaces that are exceptionally white and unblemished. In some contexts, particularly in older literature, it might carry connotations of fragility or even sickness if the paleness is perceived as unhealthy. However, in modern usage, it is generally a descriptive term for skin tone. The opposite of lilywhite would be a tanned or ruddy complexion.