shadow
Pronunciation: /ˈʃædəʊ̯/
The English word “shadow” has 20 meanings listed here.
noun
- A dark image projected onto a surface where light (or other radiation) is blocked by the shade of an object.
- Relative darkness, especially as caused by the interruption of light; gloom; obscurity.
- An area protected by an obstacle (likened to an object blocking out sunlight).
- A reflected image, as in a mirror or in water.
- That which looms as though a shadow.
- A small degree; a shade.
- An imperfect and faint representation.
- A trainee, assigned to work with an experienced officer.
- One who secretly or furtively follows another.
- An inseparable companion.
- A drop shadow effect applied to lettering in word processors etc.
- An influence, especially a pervasive or a negative one.
- A spirit; a ghost; a shade.
- An uninvited guest accompanying one who was invited.
- An unconscious aspect of the personality.
adjective
- Unofficial, informal, unauthorized, but acting as though it were.
- Having power or influence, but not widely known or recognized.
- Part of, or related to, the opposition in government.
- Acting in a leadership role before being formally recognized.
verb
Etymology
From Middle English schadowe, schadewe, schadwe (also schade > shade), from Old English sċeaduwe, sċeadwe, oblique form of sċeadu (“shadow, shade; darkness; protection”), from Proto-West Germanic *skadu, from Proto-Germanic *skaduz (“shade, shadow”), from Proto-Indo-European *(s)ḱeh₃- (“darkness”). Doublet of shade. Cognates Cognate with Scots shedda (“shadow”), Saterland Frisian Skaad, Skade…
Keep exploring: in the interactive dictionary every word of a definition is a link. Open “shadow” there
More English words
About this dictionary
The English dictionary on Glottosphere has 650,529 entries with a page. Browse the English dictionary.
Definitions are from Wiktionary, extracted by Kaikki.org, and are available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 licence.