shadow

[ shad-oh ]

/ ˈʃæd oʊ /

noun

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

shade or comparative darkness, as in an area.

shadows, darkness, especially that coming after sunset.

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

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

a specter or ghost: pursued by shadows.

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

a mere semblance: the shadow of power.

a reflected image.

(in painting, drawing, graphics, etc.)

the representation of the absence of light on a form.
the dark part of a picture, especially as representing the absence of illumination: Rembrandt's figures often emerge gradually from the shadows.

(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.Compare shade(def 16).

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.

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

an inseparable companion: The dog was his shadow.

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

verb (used with object)

to overspread with shadow; shade.

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

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

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

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

Archaic. to shelter or protect.

Archaic. to shade in painting, drawing, etc.

adjective

of or relating to a shadow cabinet.

without official authority: a shadow government.

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Origin of shadow

before 900; (noun) Middle English sch(e)adew(e), schadow, shadw(e), Old English scead(u)we, oblique case of sceadu shade; (v.) Middle English; Old English sceadwian to protect, cover, overshadow, derivative of the noun; compare Old Saxon skadowan, skadoian, Gothic -skadwjan

synonym study for shadow

1. See shade.

OTHER WORDS FROM shadow

shad·ow·er, nounshad·ow·less, adjectiveshad·ow·like, adjectivepre·shad·ow, noun, verb (used with object)

Words nearby shadow

shades of, shadfly, shading, shadkhan, shadoof, shadow, shadow bands, shadow box, shadow cabinet, shadow dance, shadow history

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020

Example sentences from the Web for shadower

As a shadower, he had the skill of one who had been all his life in the business.
Frank Merriwell's Cruise|Burt L. Standish
Up this Matheson strode, still deep in thought, and his shadower followed.
Swirling Waters|Max Rittenberg
He did not look back, but he seemed to see the shadower on his trail.
Frank Merriwell's Bravery|Burt L. Standish
I am a shadower; I will be on his track, and the next time I will have my points down well.
Cad Metti, The Female Detective Strategist|Harlan Page Halsey

The wicked curved knife doubtless concealed under the belt of the apache turned the scale decisively in the mind of the shadower.
Swirling Waters|Max Rittenberg

British Dictionary definitions for shadower

shadow

/ (ˈʃædəʊ) /

noun

a dark image or shape cast on a surface by the interception of light rays by an opaque body

an area of relative darkness

the dark portions of a picture

a hint, image, or faint semblancebeyond a shadow of a doubt

a remnant or vestigea shadow of one's past self

a reflection

a threatening influence; blighta shadow over one's happiness

a spectre

an inseparable companion

a person who trails another in secret, such as a detective

med a dark area on an X-ray film representing an opaque structure or part

(in Jungian psychology) the archetype that represents man's animal ancestors

archaic, or rare protection or shelter

(modifier) British designating a member or members of the main opposition party in Parliament who would hold ministerial office if their party were in powershadow Chancellor; shadow cabinet

verb (tr)

to cast a shadow over

to make dark or gloomy; blight

to shade from light

to follow or trail secretly

(often foll by forth) to represent vaguely

painting drawing another word for shade (def. 13)

Derived forms of shadow

shadower, nounshadowless, adjective

Word Origin for shadow

Old English sceadwe, oblique case of sceadu shade; related to Dutch schaduw

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Idioms and Phrases with shadower

shadow

In addition to the idiom beginning with shadow

shadow of one's self

also see:

afraid of one's own shadow
beyond a (shadow of a) doubt

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shadow

noun

verb (used with object)

adjective

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Origin of shadow

synonym study for shadow

OTHER WORDS FROM shadow

Words nearby shadow

Example sentences from the Web for shadower

British Dictionary definitions for shadower

noun

verb (tr)

Derived forms of shadow

Word Origin for shadow

Idioms and Phrases with shadower