Main Entry: ¹um·brel·la

Pronunciation: \ˌəm-ˈbre-lə, especially Southern ˈəm-ˌ\

Function: noun

Etymology: Italian ombrella, modification of Latin umbella, diminutive of umbra

Date: 1611

1 : a collapsible shade for protection against weather consisting of fabric stretched over hinged ribs radiating from a central pole; especially : a small one for carrying in the hand
2 : the bell-shaped or saucer-shaped largely gelatinous structure that forms the chief part of the body of most jellyfishes
3 : something which provides protection: as a : defensive air cover (as over a battlefront) b : a heavy barrage
4 : something which covers or embraces a broad range of elements or factors <decided to expand…by building new colleges under a federation umbrella — Diane Ravitch>