I. ˈsha(ˌ)dō, -_də; -_dəw, -_dō+V noun
( -s )
Etymology: Middle English shadwe, from Old English sceaduwe, sceadwe, oblique case form of sceadu shade, shadow — more at shade
1. : comparative darkness or shade within defined bounds : partial darkness or obscurity within a part of space from which rays from a source of light are cut off by an interposed opaque body
turned into the shadow of woods — John Buchan
under the gathering shadow of the dim, purple sky — O.E.Rölvaag
the grey sagebrush and the blue-grey rock … were already in shadow — Willa Cather
2.
a. : a reflected image (as in a mirror or in water)
b. : a colorless or scantily pigmented or stained body (as a degenerate cell or empty membrane) only faintly visible under the microscope
3. : protecting cover (as of wings) : protection from danger : shelter from observation
under the shadow of the flag
4.
a. : an imperfect and faint representation : an indistinct image : a dim or mystical bodying forth : adumbration
b. : an unreal appearance or image : an imaginary or delusive vision : a vain and unsubstantial object of pursuit
c. : an obscure indication : foreshadowing, prefiguration , symbol , type
d. obsolete : a representation in painting or drama in distinction from the reality portrayed
e. : an imitation of something : copy , counterpart
5.
a. : the image made by an obscured space on a surface that cuts across it usually representing in silhouette the form of the interposed body : the dark figure cast upon a surface by a body intercepting the rays from a source of light
the shadow of a man
the shadow of a tree
b. : an acoustical phenomenon similar to the optical shadow produced by an obstructing of sound waves or electric waves
the acoustic shadow of an object contains the low-frequency components of the sound — G.A.Miller
6. : a spiritual apparition : a spectral form : phantom
hence, horrible shadow — Shakespeare
7. shadows plural : shaded parts of sky and landscape merging so as to bring on darkness
night's sable shadows from the ocean rise — John Denham
8.
a. : a shaded or darker portion of a picture usually representing the less illuminated portions of the original
b. : the darkest areas of a photograph corresponding to the lightest areas of a negative of the same subject
9.
a. : an attenuated form : a vestigial remnant : a form from which the substance has departed
reptiles of today are but the veriest shadow of a mighty dynasty — W.E.Swinton
b. : a person held to resemble a shadow as a result of extreme emaciation or feebleness
10.
a. : one that follows or attends like a shadow : an inseparable companion or follower
sin and her shadow death — John Milton
b. : one that shadows as a spy or detective : one that follows a person in order to keep watch on his movements
11. : a small degree or portion : a slight or faint appearance : trace
a meaning … for which there is no shadow of justification — Reginald Reynolds
hasn't really the shadow of a claim on us — Ellen Glasgow
12. : a penthouse or roof over the stage of an Elizabethan theater
13. obsolete : something (as a veil or canopy) designed to afford shade or protection from light, heat, or observation
14.
a. : influence casting a spell, gloom, or unhappiness
love is sunshine, hate is shadow — H.W.Longfellow
b. : something qualifying adversely a usually specified state or condition (as happiness, friendship, or fame)
15.
a. : an area that is or is held to be within the shadow cast by an object : proximity , vicinity
the Alamo … stands in the shadow of a modern skyscraper — American Guide Series: Texas
b. : the pervasive and dominant influence, power, or reputation of someone or something
reared under the shadow of absolutism — V.L.Parrington
fallen within the shadow of Roman power — Benjamin Farrington
a president … living in the shadow of his predecessor — H.J.Laski
II. verb
( -ed/-ing/-s )
Etymology: Middle English shadwen, from Old English sceadwian; akin to Old High German bi scatwen to overshadow, Gothic ufar skadwjan; denominative from the root of Old English sceadu shade, shadow — more at shade
transitive verb
1. archaic : to shelter or protect as with covering wings : enfold with a beneficent and protecting influence
2.
a. : to cast a shadow upon : cover or obscure with a shadow : overspread with obscurity : darken , dim
the mountains … heavily shadowed by a storm cloud — G.R.Stewart
a period of … history that is still thickly shadowed — American Guide Series: Arkansas
b. : to cast a gloom over : cloud
a glint of displeasure shadowed his eyes — Hamilton Basso
his cheerful face was suddenly shadowed — Katharine N. Burt
3. obsolete : to protect or shelter from the sun
4. obsolete : to conceal from view or knowledge : keep dark : hide
thereby shall we shadow the numbers of our host — Shakespeare
5. obsolete
a. : to serve as protection or security for : take under one's protection or patronage
I saw thou wert a coward and shadowed thee — John Fletcher
b. : to screen from blame, punishment, or wrong
6. : to represent faintly, mystically, or figuratively : indicate obscurely or in slight outline : adumbrate , betoken , prefigure , symbolize , typify
a statment could be delicately shadowed by an illusion — A.L.Guérard
— often used with forth or out
my theory of right conduct which these pages shadow forth — Herbert Spencer
shadow forth the doubts that men may have — Sonya Rudikoff
7. obsolete : to paint the likeness of : depict , paint , portray
8. : to follow like a shadow : attend or follow and watch closely especially in a secret manner : keep under surveillance : trail
a detective shadowed the suspect
the cruiser was shadowed by a submarine
9. archaic : shade 5
no grays, no tones or softness to shadow the angular blacks — E.L.Wallant
10. : to produce a shadow of
the light shadowed him against the side of the tent
11. : to prevent uniform deposition upon in electroplating — used of an object which by its position interferes with normal current distribution
intransitive verb
1. archaic : to cast a shadow
the house shadowed over them — Richard Llewellyn
2. obsolete : to become closely alike or verge in color
3. : to pass gradually or by degrees : shade off
the mountains … were shadowing into blackness — Lonnie Coleman
smooth opal … shadowing to deep jade beneath the rocks — Rose Macaulay
4. : to become overcast with or as if with shadows : grow dark or gloomy
his eyes shadowed with doubts — B.A.Williams
III. adjective
Etymology: shadow (I)
1. : shady
2. : having form without substance : dummy
a shadow garrison
the shadow government in exile
3.
a. : having an indistinct pattern ; especially : having patterns printed on the warp threads before weaving or having the warp threads twisted to produce faint stripes when woven
shadow prints
b. : having a darker section of design usually in contrast to a sheer background — used especially of needlework
shadow lace
4. : formulated or constructed in outline so as to be capable of quick completion when needed : inactive but ready to function immediately when the need arises
a shadow factory
shadow army