View synonyms for adumbrate

adumbrate

[ ad-uhm-breyt, a-duhm-breyt ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

verb (used with object)

, ad·um·brat·ed, ad·um·brat·ing.

to produce a faint image or resemblance of; to outline or sketch.
to foreshadow; prefigure.
to darken or conceal partially; overshadow.

adumbrate

/ ædˈʌmbrətɪv; ˈædʌmˌbreɪt /

verb

to outline; give a faint indication of
to foreshadow
to overshadow; obscure

Discover More

Derived Forms

adˈumbratively, adverb
adumbrative, adjective
ˌadumˈbration, noun

Discover More

Other Words From

ad·um·bra·tion [ad-, uh, m-, brey, -sh, uh, n], noun

Discover More

Word History and Origins

Origin of adumbrate¹

First recorded in 1575–85; from Latin adumbrātus “shaded,” past participle of adumbrāre “to shade,” from ad- ad- + umbr(a) “shade, shadow” + -āre, infinitive verb suffix

Discover More

Word History and Origins

Origin of adumbrate¹

C16: from Latin adumbrātus represented only in outline, from adumbrāre to cast a shadow on, from umbra shadow

Discover More

Example Sentences

There had, in truth, scarcely yet been time enough to adumbrate the possibilities opened up by this gentleman's return.

From Project Gutenberg

Feeble is human speech to deal with such high matters, serving, at the best, but dimly to adumbrate ineffable truths.

From Project Gutenberg

From now onwards the speeches of Brutus strangely adumbrate those of Hamlet.

From Project Gutenberg

Two short passages adumbrate the coming Tennyson, the rest is mystic nonsense.

From Project Gutenberg

A type is a symbol appointed by God to adumbrate something higher in the future, which is called the antitype.

From Project Gutenberg

Word of the Day

April 18, 2024petrichor

[pet-ri-kawr]

Meaning and examples

Start each day with the Word of the Day in your inbox!

By clicking "Sign Up", you are accepting Dictionary.com Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policies.

adumbral adumbration

Browse