(in architectural shades and shadows) a dark figure or image cast by an object or part of an object upon a surface that would otherwise be illuminated by the theoretical light source. Compare shade (def. 16).

12.

a period or instance of gloom, unhappiness, mistrust, doubt, dissension, or the like, as in friendship or one's life: Their relationship was not without shadows.

13.

a dominant or pervasive threat, influence, or atmosphere, especially one causing gloom, fear, doubt, or the like: They lived under the shadow of war.

14.

an inseparable companion: The dog was his shadow.

15.

a person who follows another in order to keep watch upon that person, as a spy or detective.

COLLAPSE

What Is A Shadow www.ask.com/What+Is+A+Shadow Search for What Is A Shadow Q&A What Is A Shadow

verb (used with object)

16.

to overspread with shadow; shade.

17.

to cast a gloom over; cloud: The incident shadowed their meeting.

18.

to screen or protect from light, heat, etc.; shade.

19.

to follow (a person) about secretly, in order to keep watch over his movements.

20.

to represent faintly, prophetically, etc. (often followed by forth).

EXPAND

21.

Archaic. to shelter or protect.

22.

Archaic. to shade in painting, drawing, etc.

COLLAPSE

00:10

00:09

00:08

00:07

00:06

00:05

00:04

00:03

00:02

00:01

Shadow is one of our favorite verbs.

So is lollygag. Does it mean:

to spend time idly; loaf.

to expurgate (a written work) by removing or modifying passages considered vulgar or objectionable.

LEARN MORE FUN, UNUSUAL VERBS WITH WORD DYNAMO...

adjective

23.

of or pertaining to a shadow cabinet.

24.

without official authority: a shadow government.

Origin:
before 900; (noun) Middle English sch(e)adew(e), schadow, shadw(e), Old English scead(u)we, oblique case of sceadu shade; (v.) Middle English; Old English sceadwian to protect, cover, overshadow, derivative of the noun; compare Old Saxon skadowan, skadoian, Gothic -skadwjan

Related forms

shad·ow·er, noun

shad·ow·less, adjective

shad·ow·like, adjective

pre·shad·ow, noun, verb (used with object)

Synonyms
1. See shade.

Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2012.
Cite This Source

Link To Shadow

Example Sentences

It doesn't happen everyday, but occasionally a great shadow will make a great picture.

The panel shadow should be the same size on each side of the box with little or no shadow on the side facing the sun.

All these people are seeing the shadow that they call grades.

EXPAND

Collins

World English Dictionary

shadow (ˈʃædəʊ)

—n
1.	a dark image or shape cast on a surface by the interception of light rays by an opaque body
2.	an area of relative darkness
3.	the dark portions of a picture
4.	a hint, image, or faint semblance: beyond a shadow of a doubt
5.	a remnant or vestige: a shadow of one's past self
6.	a reflection
7.	a threatening influence; blight: a shadow over one's happiness
8.	a spectre
9.	an inseparable companion
10.	a person who trails another in secret, such as a detective
11.	med a dark area on an X-ray film representing an opaque structure or part
12.	(in Jungian psychology) the archetype that represents man's animal ancestors
13.	archaic, rare or protection or shelter
14.	(Brit) (modifier) designating a member or members of the main opposition party in Parliament who would hold ministerial office if their party were in power: shadow Chancellor; shadow cabinet

—vb
15.	to cast a shadow over
16.	to make dark or gloomy; blight
17.	to shade from light
18.	to follow or trail secretly
19.	(often foll by forth) to represent vaguely
20.	painting, drawing another word for shade

[Old English sceadwe, oblique case of sceadushade; related to Dutch schaduw]

'shadower

—n

'shadowless

—*adj*

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
Cite This Source

Etymonline

Word Origin & History

shadow

O.E. sceadwe, sceaduwe, oblique cases of sceadu (see shade). As a designation of members of an opposition party chosen as counterparts of the government in power, it is recorded from 1906. Shadow of Death (Ps. xxiii:4, etc.) is Gk. skia thanatou, perhaps a mistranslation of

EXPAND

a Heb. word for "intense darkness."

shadow

late O.E. sceadwian "to protect as with covering wings" (cf. also overshadow), from the root of shadow (n.). Meaning "to follow like a shadow" is from c.1600 in an isolated instance; not attested again until 1872.

COLLAPSE

FOLDOC

Computing Dictionary

SHADOW definition

language
A syntax-directed compiler written by Barnett and Futrelle in 1962. It was the predecessor to SNOBOL(?)
[Sammet 1969, p. 448, 605].
(1995-01-16)

Easton

Bible Dictionary