shadow

¹shad·ow

noun \ˈsha-(ˌ)dō\

Definition of SHADOW

1

: partial darkness or obscurity within a part of space from which rays from a source of light are cut off by an interposed opaque body

2

: a reflected image

3

: shelter from danger or observation

4

a : an imperfect and faint representation

b : an imitation of something : copy

5

: the dark figure cast upon a surface by a body intercepting the rays from a source of light

6

: phantom

7

plural : dark 1a

8

: a shaded or darker portion of a picture

9

: an attenuated form or a vestigial remnant

10

a : an inseparable companion or follower

b : one (as a spy or detective) that shadows

11

: a small degree or portion : trace

12

: a source of gloom or unhappiness

13

a : an area near an object : vicinity

b : pervasive and dominant influence

14

: a state of ignominy or obscurity

— shad·ow·less \ˈsha-dō-ləs, -də-ləs\ adjective

— shad·ow·like \-ˌlīk\ adjective

Examples of SHADOW

1. The tree cast a long shadow across the lawn.
2. You can see your own shadow on a sunny day.
3. Part of the valley was in shadow.
4. He saw something moving in the shadows.
5. I sensed a shadow of disappointment in his expression.

Origin of SHADOW

Middle English shadwe, from Old English sceaduw-, sceadu shade

First Known Use: before 12th century

Related to SHADOW

Synonyms

dusk, penumbra, shadiness, shade, umbra

Antonyms

blaze, brightness, brilliance, day, daylight, glare, glow, light, lightness

Related Words

blackness, dimness, duskiness, gloom, gloominess, murkiness, obscurity, semidarkness, somberness; cloudiness

Near Antonyms

brightness, brilliance, effulgence, illumination, incandescence, light, lightness, lucidity, lucidness, luminance, luminosity, luminousness, radiance, radiancy

²shadow

verb

Definition of SHADOW

transitive verb

1

archaic : shelter, protect

2

: to cast a shadow upon : cloud

3

obsolete : to shelter from the sun

4

obsolete : conceal

5

: to represent or indicate obscurely or faintly —often used with forth or out

6

a : to follow especially secretly : trail

b : to accompany and observe especially in a professional setting

7

archaic : shade 5

intransitive verb

1

: to pass gradually or by degrees

2

: to become overcast with or as if with shadows

— shad·ow·er \-dō-ər, -də-wər\ noun

Examples of SHADOW

1. Police shadowed the suspect for several days.
2. She spent the night shadowing other waiters at the restaurant.

First Known Use of SHADOW

before 12th century

Related to SHADOW

Synonyms

bird-dog, chase, course, dog, hound, pursue, run, follow, tag, tail, trace, track, trail

Antonyms

guide, lead, pilot

Related Words

accompany, chaperone (or chaperon), escort; hunt, search (for), seek; eye, observe, watch

Near Antonyms

head

³shadow

adjective

Definition of SHADOW

1

: of, relating to, or resembling a shadow cabinet <shadow minister of defense>

2

a : having an indistinct pattern <shadow plaid>

b : having darker sections of design <shadow lace>

First Known Use of SHADOW

1906

Other Government and Politics Terms

agent provocateur, agitprop, autarky, cabal, egalitarianism, federalism, hegemony, plenipotentiary, popular sovereignty, socialism