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shadow
[ shad-oh ]
noun
- a dark figure or image cast on the ground or some surface by a body intercepting light.
- shade or comparative darkness, as in an area.
- shadows, darkness, especially that coming after sunset.
sanctuary in the shadow of the church.
- a slight suggestion; trace:
beyond the shadow of a doubt.
- a specter or ghost:
pursued by shadows.
- a hint or faint, indistinct image or idea; intimation:
shadows of things to come.
- a mere semblance:
the shadow of power.
- a reflected image.
- (in painting, drawing, graphics, etc.)
- the representation of the absence of light on a form.
- the dark part of a picture, especially as representing the absence of illumination:
Rembrandt's figures often emerge gradually from the shadows.
- (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 9 ).
- 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.
- a dominant or pervasive threat, influence, or atmosphere, especially one causing gloom, fear, doubt, or the like:
They lived under the shadow of war.
- an inseparable companion:
The dog was his shadow.
- a person who follows another in order to keep watch upon that person, as a spy or detective.
verb (used with object)
- to overspread with shadow; shade.
- to cast a gloom over; cloud:
The incident shadowed their meeting.
- to screen or protect from light, heat, etc.; shade.
- to follow and observe (a person): All new employees will be assigned a mentor whom they will shadow during their first week at work.
Spies and secret agents shadowed government officials in clandestine assignments during the Cold War.
All new employees will be assigned a mentor whom they will shadow during their first week at work.
- to represent faintly, prophetically, etc. (often followed by forth ).
- Archaic. to shelter or protect.
- Archaic. to shade in painting, drawing, etc.
adjective
- of or relating to a shadow cabinet.
- without official authority:
a shadow government.
- unofficial or without public notice; characterized by secrecy or performed in a way that is difficult to detect; clandestine: shadow docket;
shadow ban;
shadow docket;
shadow inflation.
shadow
/ ˈʃæəʊ /
noun
- a dark image or shape cast on a surface by the interception of light rays by an opaque body
- an area of relative darkness
- the dark portions of a picture
- a hint, image, or faint semblance
beyond a shadow of a doubt
- a remnant or vestige
a shadow of one's past self
- a reflection
- a threatening influence; blight
a shadow over one's happiness
- a spectre
- an inseparable companion
- a person who trails another in secret, such as a detective
- med a dark area on an X-ray film representing an opaque structure or part
- (in Jungian psychology) the archetype that represents man's animal ancestors
- archaic.protection or shelter
- 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
verb
- to cast a shadow over
- to make dark or gloomy; blight
- to shade from light
- to follow or trail secretly
- often foll by forth to represent vaguely
- painting drawing another word for shade
Derived Forms
- ˈǷɱ, adjective
- ˈǷɱ, noun
Other 51Թ Forms
- ·Ƿ· noun
- ·Ƿ· adjective
- ·Ƿ· adjective
- ··Ƿ noun verb (used with object)
51Թ History and Origins
Origin of shadow1
51Թ History and Origins
Origin of shadow1
Idioms and Phrases
In addition to the idiom beginning with shadow , also see afraid of one's own shadow ; beyond a (shadow of a) doubt .Synonym Study
Example Sentences
Rather, it’s keen on probing our sick and broken world to reveal all of the hope that still exists in the shadows.
De Bruyne has been a shadow of his usual self this season.
Conservative shadow business secretary Andrew Griffith questioned Reynolds' claim that the government's approach had been "vindicated".
But he felt an entirely different emotion when he found out that those works had appeared on LibGen - a so-called "shadow library" containing millions of books and academic papers taken without permission.
But, he said, it was worth it - even if, at the very end of his remarks, a small shadow of presidential doubt may have peaked through the bravado.
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Related 51Թs
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
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