shadow

—shadower, n. —shadowless, adj. —shadowlike, adj.

/shad"oh/, n.

1. a dark figure or image cast on the ground or some surface by a body intercepting light.

2. shade or comparative darkness, as in an area.

3. shadows, darkness, esp. that coming after sunset.

4. shelter; protection: sanctuary in the shadow of the church.

5. a slight suggestion; trace: beyond the shadow of a doubt.

6. a specter or ghost: pursued by shadows.

7. a hint or faint, indistinct image or idea; intimation: shadows of things to come.

8. a mere semblance: the shadow of power.

9. a reflected image.

10. (in painting, drawing, graphics, etc.)

a. the representation of the absence of light on a form.

b. the dark part of a picture, esp. as representing the absence of illumination: Rembrandt's figures often emerge gradually from the shadows.

11. (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. Cf. shade (def. 16).

12. 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.

13. a dominant or pervasive threat, influence, or atmosphere, esp. one causing gloom, fear, doubt, or the like: They lived under the shadow of war.

14. an inseparable companion: The dog was his shadow.

15. a person who follows another in order to keep watch upon that person, as a spy or detective.

v.t.

16. to overspread with shadow; shade.

17. to cast a gloom over; cloud: The incident shadowed their meeting.

18. to screen or protect from light, heat, etc.; shade.

19. to follow (a person) about secretly, in order to keep watch over his movements.

20. to represent faintly, prophetically, etc. (often fol. by forth).

21. Archaic. to shelter or protect.

22. Archaic. to shade in painting, drawing, etc.

adj.

23. of or pertaining to a shadow cabinet.

24. without official authority: a shadow government.

[bef. 900; (n.) ME sch(e)adew(e), schadow, shadw(e), OE scead(u)we, obl. case of sceadu SHADE; (v.) ME; OE sceadwian to protect, cover, OVERSHADOW, deriv. of the n.; cf. OS skadowan, skadoian, Goth -skadwjan]

Syn. 1. See shade.

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