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Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1) - Cite This Source - Share This

ad·um·brate

Audio Help [a-duhm-breyt, ad-uh

m-breyt] Pronunciation Key

–verb (used with object), -brat·ed, -brat·ing.

1.	to produce a faint image or resemblance of; to outline or sketch.

2.	to foreshadow; prefigure.

3.	to darken or conceal partially; overshadow.

[Origin: 1575–85; < L adumbrātus shaded (ptp. of adumbrāre), equiv. to ad- ad- + umbr(a) shade, shadow + -ātus -ate¹

]

—Related forms

ad·um·bra·tion, noun

Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1)
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2006.

Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.
Adumbrate

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American Heritage Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This

ad·um·brate Audio Help (ād'əm-brāt', ə-dŭm'-) Pronunciation Key
tr.v. ad·um·brat·ed, ad·um·brat·ing, ad·um·brates

To give a sketchy outline of.
To prefigure indistinctly; foreshadow.
To disclose partially or guardedly.
To overshadow; shadow or obscure.

[Latin adumbrāre, adumbrāt-, to represent in outline : ad-, ad- + umbra, shadow.]

ad'um·bra'tion n., ad·um'bra·tive (ə-dŭm'brə-tĭv) adj., ad·um'bra·tive·ly adv.

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WordNet - Cite This Source - Share This

adumbrate
verb
1.	describe roughly or briefly or give the main points or summary of; "sketch the outline of the book"; "outline his ideas" [syn: sketch]
2.	give to understand; "I insinuated that I did not like his wife" [syn: intimate]