I. ˈəmbrij, -rēj noun
( -s )
Etymology: Middle English, from Middle French, from Latin umbraticum, neuter of umbraticus of the shade, from umbratus (past participle of umbrare to shade, from umbra shade, shadow) + -icus -ic; akin to Lithuanian unksna shadow
1.
a. : an area of comparative darkness : shade
lying … at the foot of some tree of friendly umbrage — Charlotte Brontë
b. : an overshadowing influence or power : shadow
compete in the umbrage of big city printing wages and other costs — J.R.Malone
2. : the thick shady branches of a tree or bush : foliage
the thrush sings in that umbrage — L.P.Smith
chimney pots veiled under blossomy umbrage — Thomas Carlyle
3. archaic : something providing protection : shelter , refuge
4.
a. : an indistinct indication : vague suggestion : suspicion , hint
the least umbrage of a reflection upon this accident — Roger North
b. : a reason for doubt : suspicion
the man toward whom our … State Department has never felt umbrage , let alone taken exception — H.L.Ickes
5. : displeasure , resentment , annoyance
persons who feel most umbrage from the overshadowing aristocracy — Sir Walter Scott
— usually used in the phrases give umbrage or take umbrage
would give umbrage to them by not sending an invitation
never take umbrage unless you can lick the guy — Jackie Gleason
6. obsolete : an alleged purpose or motive : pretext , pretense
veiling the murder with the umbrage of devotion and justice — Edmund Hickeringill
7. obsolete : the state of being in disfavor : disesteem
Synonyms: see offense
II. transitive verb
( -ed/-ing/-s )
1. : to cast into shadow : shade
2. : to cause to become insulted or angry
umbraged … by finding no crumbs — Sylvia T. Warner