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overshadow

 - 3 dictionary results

o⋅ver⋅shad⋅ow

  [oh-ver-shad-oh]
Use overshadow in a Sentence
–verb (used with object)
1. to be more important or significant by comparison: For years he overshadowed his brother.
2. to cast a shadow over; cover with shadows, clouds, darkness, etc.; darken or obscure: clouds overshadowing the moon.
3. to make sad or hang heavily over; cast a pall on: a disappointment that overshadowed their last years.
4. Archaic. to shelter or protect.
Origin:
bef. 900; ME overshadewen, OE ofersceadwian. See over-, shadow

Related forms:
o⋅ver⋅shad⋅ow⋅er, noun
o⋅ver⋅shad⋅ow⋅ing⋅ly, adverb

Synonyms:
1. eclipse, outshine, dwarf.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To overshadow
o·ver·shad·ow   (ō'vər-shād'ō)   
tr.v.   o·ver·shad·owed, o·ver·shad·ow·ing, o·ver·shad·ows

  1. To cast a shadow over; darken or obscure.

  2. To make insignificant by comparison; dominate.

The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Word Origin & History

overshadow 
O.E. ofersceadwian "to cast a shadow over, obscure," from ofer "over" + sceadwian "to shadow" (see shadow); used to render L. obumbrare in N.T. Fig. sense is from 1581.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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