UMBRELLA

I. noun Etymology: Italian ombrella, modification of Latin umbella, diminutive of umbra Date: 1611 a collapsible shade for protection against weather consisting of fabric stretched over hinged ribs radiating from a central pole, the bell-shaped or saucer-shaped largely gelatinous structure that forms the chief part of the body of most jellyfishes, something which provides protection: as, defensive air cover (as over a battlefront), a heavy barrage, something which covers or embraces a broad range of elements or factors , II. transitive verb (-laed; -laing) Date: 1834 to protect, cover, or provide with an ~