Word of the Day Archive
Tuesday April 15, 2003
umbrage \UHM-brij\ , noun:
1. Shade; shadow; hence, something that affords a shade, as a screen of trees or foliage.
2. a. A vague or indistinct indication or suggestion; a hint.
3. b. Reason for doubt; suspicion.
4. Suspicion of injury or wrong; offense; resentment.
Burr finally took umbrage, and challenged him to a duel.
-- Richard A. Samuelson, "Alexander Hamilton: American", Commentary, June 1999
In almost all the walks of his life, he appears to have been both astoundingly rude and genuinely astonished that anyone should take umbrage.
-- Robert Winder, "A dying game", New Statesman, June 19, 2000
He had a devastating smile, which could wipe away the slightest umbrage.
-- Alec Guinness, A Positively Final Appearance
The river tumbling green and white, far below me; the dark high banks, the plentiful umbrage, many bronze cedars, in shadow; and tempering and arching all the immense materiality, a clear sky overhead, with a few white clouds, limpid, spiritual, silent.
-- Walt Whitman, Specimen Days & Collect
Umbrage is derived from Latin umbra, "shade."
Dictionary.com Entry and Pronunciation for umbrage
