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shadows - 2 dictionary results

shad⋅ow

  [shad-oh]
Use shadows in a Sentence
–noun
1. a dark figure or image cast on the ground or some surface by a body intercepting light.
2. shade or comparative darkness, as in an area.
3. shadows, darkness, esp. that coming after sunset.
4. shelter; protection: sanctuary in the shadow of the church.
5. a slight suggestion; trace: beyond the shadow of a doubt.
6. a specter or ghost: pursued by shadows.
7. a hint or faint, indistinct image or idea; intimation: shadows of things to come.
8. a mere semblance: the shadow of power.
9. a reflected image.
10. (in painting, drawing, graphics, etc.)
a. the representation of the absence of light on a form.
b. the dark part of a picture, esp. as representing the absence of illumination: Rembrandt's figures often emerge gradually from the shadows.
11. (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, esp. 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.
–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 fol. by forth).
21. Archaic. to shelter or protect.
22. Archaic. to shade in painting, drawing, etc.
–adjective
23. of or pertaining to a shadow cabinet.
24. without official authority: a shadow government.
Origin:
bef. 900; (n.) ME sch(e)adew(e), schadow, shadw(e), OE scead(u)we, obl. case of sceadu shade; (v.) ME; OE sceadwian to protect, cover, overshadow, deriv. of the n.; cf. OS skadowan, skadoian, Goth -skadwjan

Related forms:
shad⋅ow⋅er, noun
shad⋅ow⋅less, adjective
shad⋅ow⋅like, adjective

Synonyms:
1. See shade.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To shadows
shad·ow   (shād'ō)   
n.  
  1. An area that is not or is only partially irradiated or illuminated because of the interception of radiation by an opaque object between the area and the source of radiation.
  2. The rough image cast by an object blocking rays of illumination. See Synonyms at shade.
  3. An imperfect imitation or copy.
  4. shadows The darkness following sunset.
  5. A feeling or cause of gloom or unhappiness: The argument cast a shadow on their friendship.
    1. A nearby or adjoining region; vicinity: grew up in the shadow of the ballpark.
    2. A dominating presence or influence: spent years working in the shadow of the lab director.
    3. A darkened area of skin under the eye. Often used in the plural.
    4. An incipient growth of beard that makes the skin look darker.
    5. One, such as a detective or spy, that follows or trails another.
    6. A constant companion.
    7. Sports A player who guards an opponent closely.
    1. A darkened area of skin under the eye. Often used in the plural.
    2. An incipient growth of beard that makes the skin look darker.
    3. One, such as a detective or spy, that follows or trails another.
    4. A constant companion.
    5. Sports A player who guards an opponent closely.
  8. A shaded area in a picture or photograph.
  9. A mirrored image or reflection.
  10. A phantom; a ghost.
    1. One, such as a detective or spy, that follows or trails another.
    2. A constant companion.
    3. Sports A player who guards an opponent closely.
  12. A faint indication; a foreshadowing.
  13. A vestige or inferior form: shadows of their past achievements.
  14. An insignificant portion or amount; a trace: beyond a shadow of a doubt.
  15. Shelter; protection: under the shadow of their corporate sponsor.
v.   shad·owed, shad·ow·ing, shad·ows

v.   tr.
  1. To cast a shadow on; shade.
  2. To make gloomy or dark; cloud.
  3. To represent vaguely, mysteriously, or prophetically.
  4. To darken in a painting or drawing; shade in.
  5. To follow, especially in secret; trail.
  6. Sports To guard (an opponent) closely throughout the playing area, especially in ice hockey.
v.   intr.
  1. To change by gradual degrees.
  2. To become clouded over as if with shadows: Her face shadowed with sorrow.
adj.  Not having official status: a shadow government of exiled leaders; a shadow cabinet.

[Middle English, from Old English sceaduwe, oblique case of sceadu, shade, shadow.]
shad'ow·er n.
Word History: Shade and shadow are not only related in meaning; historically they are the same word. In Old English, the ancestor of Modern English spoken a thousand years ago, nouns were inflected; that is, they had different forms depending on how they were used in a sentence. One of the inflected forms of the Old English noun sceadu, translatable as either "shade" or "shadow," was sceaduwe; this form was used when the word was preceded by a preposition (as in in sceaduwe, "in the shade, in shadow"). As time went on these two forms of the same word were interpreted as two separate words. The same thing happened to other Old English words, too: our mead and meadow come from two different case-forms of the same Old English word for "meadow."
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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