n. & v.
n. 1 shade or a patch of shade. 2 a dark figure projected by a body intercepting rays of light, often regarded as an appendage. 3 an inseparable attendant or companion. 4 a person secretly following another. 5 the slightest trace (not the shadow of a doubt). 6 a weak or insubstantial remnant or thing (a shadow of his former self). 7 (attrib.) Brit. denoting members of a political party in opposition holding responsibilities parallel to those of the government (shadow Home Secretary; shadow cabinet). 8 the shaded part of a picture. 9 a substance used to colour the eyelids. 10 gloom or sadness.
v.tr. 1 cast a shadow over. 2 secretly follow and watch the movements of. shadow-boxing boxing against an imaginary opponent as a form of training. shadower n. shadowless adj.
[ repr. OE scead(u)we, oblique case of sceadu SHADE ]