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shadow

Syllabification: (shad·ow)
Pronunciation: /ˈSHadō/

Translate shadow | into French | into German | into Italian | into Spanish
Definition of shadow

noun

  • 1a dark area or shape produced by a body coming between rays of light and a surface:trees cast long shadows
  • partial or complete darkness, especially as produced in this way:the north side of the cathedral was deep in shadow (shadows)a stranger slowly approached from the shadows
  • the shaded part of a picture.
  • a dark patch or area on a surface:there are dark shadows beneath your eyes
  • a region of opacity on a radiograph:shadows on his lungs
  • short for eyeshadow.
  • 2used in reference to proximity, ominous oppressiveness, or sadness and gloom:the shadow of war fell across Europe only one shadow lay over Sally’s life
  • used in reference to something insubstantial or fleeting:a freedom that was more shadow than substance
  • used in reference to a position of relative inferiority or obscurity:he lived in the shadow of his father
  • [with negative] the slightest trace of something:she knew without a shadow of a doubt that he was lying
  • a weak or inferior remnant or version of something:this fine-looking, commanding man had become a shadow of his former self
  • an expression of perplexity or sadness:a shadow crossed Maria’s face
  • 3an inseparable attendant or companion:her faithful shadow, a Yorkshire terrier called Heathcliffe
  • a person secretly following and observing another.
  • a person who accompanies someone in their daily activities at work in order to gain experience at or insight into a job.
  • [usually as modifier] British the opposition counterpart of a government minister:the shadow Chancellor

verb

[with object]
  • 1envelop in shadow; cast a shadow over:the market is shadowed by St. Margaret’s church a hood shadowed her face
  • 2follow and observe (someone) closely and typically secretly:he had been up all night shadowing a team of poachers
  • British (of an opposition politician) be the counterpart of (a government minister or a ministry).
  • accompany (someone) in their daily activities at work in order to gain experience at or insight into a job.

Phrases

be frightened of one's shadow

be very timid or nervous.

Derivatives

shadower

noun

shadowless

adjective

Origin:

Old English scead(u)we (noun), oblique case of sceadu (see shade), sceadwian 'screen or shield from attack', of Germanic origin; related to Dutch schaduw and German Schatten (nouns), from an Indo-European root shared by Greek skotos 'darkness'

shadow in other Oxford dictionaries

Definition of shadow in the British & World English dictionary
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