shadow

== English == === Pronunciation === (Received Pronunciation) IPA(key): /ˈʃædəʊ̯/, [ˈʃʰædəʊ̯]; /ˈʃædɵʊ̯/, [ˈʃʰædɵ̞ʊ̯] (General American, Canada) (without t-flapping) IPA(key): /ˈʃædoʊ̯/, [ˈʃʰædoʊ̯]; /ˈʃædɔʊ̯/, [ˈʃʰædɔʊ̯] (t-flapping) IPA(key): /ˈʃæɾoʊ̯/, [ˈʃʰæɾoʊ̯]; /ˈʃæɾɔʊ̯/, [ˈʃʰæɾɔʊ̯] (General Australian) (without t-flapping) IPA(key): /ˈʃædəʉ̯/, [ˈʃʰædəʉ̯]; /ˈʃædɐʉ̯/, [ˈʃædɐ̝ʉ̯] (t-flapping) IPA(key): /ˈʃæɾəʉ̯/, [ˈʃʰæɾəʉ̯]; /ˈʃæɾɐʉ̯/, [ˈʃæɾɐ̝ʉ̯] (New Zealand) (without t-flapping) IPA(key): /ˈʃɛdɘ̞ʉ̯/, [ˈʃʰɛdɘ̞ʉ̯]; /ˈʃɛdɐʉ̯/, [ˈʃʰɛdɐ̝ʉ̯] (without t-flapping) IPA(key): /ˈʃɛɾɘ̞ʉ̯/, [ˈʃʰɛɾɘ̞ʉ̯]; /ˈʃɛɾɐʉ̯/, [ˈʃʰɛɾɐ̝ʉ̯] Rhymes: -ædəʊ Hyphenation: shad‧ow === Etymology 1 === From Middle English schadowe, schadewe, schadwe (also schade > shade), from Old English sċeaduwe, sċeadwe, oblique form of sċeadu (“shadow, shade; darkness; protection”), from Proto-West Germanic *skadu, from Proto-Germanic *skaduz (“shade, shadow”), from Proto-Indo-European *(s)ḱeh₃- (“darkness”). Doublet of shade. ==== Noun ==== shadow (countable and uncountable, plural shadows) A dark image projected onto a surface where light (or other radiation) is blocked by the shade of an object. Relative darkness, especially as caused by the interruption of light; gloom; obscurity. An area protected by an obstacle (likened to an object blocking out sunlight). (obsolete or poetic) A reflected image, as in a mirror or in water. (figurative) That which looms as though a shadow. (Can we date this quote by Bible and provide title, author’s full name, and other details?), Psalm 23:1–6 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. (chiefly in the negative) A small degree; a shade. An imperfect and faint representation. (UK, law enforcement) A trainee, assigned to work with an experienced officer. One who secretly or furtively follows another. An inseparable companion. (typography) A drop shadow effect applied to lettering in word processors etc. An influence, especially a pervasive or a negative one. A spirit; a ghost; a shade. (obsolete, Latinism) An uninvited guest accompanying one who was invited. Synonym: umbra (Jungian psychology) An unconscious aspect of the personality. ===== Usage notes ===== Someone or something is said to “cast”, “have”, or “throw” a shadow if the shadow is caused by that person or object (either literally, by eclipsing a light source, or figuratively). ===== Derived terms ===== ===== Related terms ===== scoto- ===== Translations ===== ==== Adjective ==== shadow (comparative more shadow, superlative most shadow) Unofficial, informal, unauthorized, but acting as though it were. Having power or influence, but not widely known or recognized. The director has been giving shadow leadership to the other group's project to ensure its success. The illuminati shadow group has been pulling strings from behind the scenes. (Commonwealth, politics) Part of, or related to, the opposition in government. (US, politics) Acting in a leadership role before being formally recognized. The shadow cabinet cannot agree on the terms of the agreement due immediately after they are sworn in. The insurgents’ shadow government is being crippled by the federal military strikes. ===== Derived terms ===== Listed under noun. === Etymology 2 === From Middle English schadowen, from Old English sċeadwian, from sċeadu (“shadow; shade”) + -ian (suffix forming verbs). ==== Verb ==== shadow (third-person singular simple present shadows, present participle shadowing, simple past and past participle shadowed) (transitive) To shade, cloud, or darken. (transitive) To block light or radio transmission from. (particularly espionage) To secretly or discreetly track or follow another, to keep under surveillance. (transitive) To represent faintly and imperfectly. (transitive) To hide; to conceal. (transitive, intransitive) To accompany (a professional) during the working day, so as to learn about an occupation one intends to take up. (transitive, programming) To make (an identifier, usually a variable) inaccessible by declaring another of the same name within the scope of the first. (transitive, computing) To apply the shadowing process to (the contents of ROM). ===== Derived terms ===== beshadow foreshadow (verb) overshadow unshadow ===== Translations ===== == Middle English == === Etymology 1 === ==== Noun ==== shadow alternative form of schadwe === Etymology 2 === ==== Verb ==== shadow alternative form of schadwen