shadowing

[shad-oh-ing]

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR shadowing ON THESAURUS.COM

noun Cytology, Histology.

a method of enhancing the visibility of the surface features of a specimen for electron microscopic viewing by spraying it from one side with a coating of metal atoms.

Nearby words

Origin of shadowing

shadow + -ing¹

Related formsself-shad·ow·ing, adjective

shadow

[shad-oh]

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.

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

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

Synonym study

1. See shade.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for shadowing

A crew for the A&E reality show The First 48 had been shadowing Detroit homicide detectives for months and filmed the incident.
The Saddest Reality Stars of All: Prisoners|Mansfield Frazier|May 19, 2013|DAILY BEAST
She spent a day shadowing me, part of an introductory program I instituted for trainees in CTC.
The First American: Excerpt from Henry Crumpton’s ‘The Art of Intelligence’|Henry A. Crumpton|May 14, 2012|DAILY BEAST
He says he believes a couple of militants have been shadowing him for the past two days.
Pakistani Journalists Working for American Companies Face Horrifying Dangers|Sami Yousafzai, Ron Moreau|January 18, 2012|DAILY BEAST
Alexander pointed to a fire trail cutting down the hill, saying that it would be good for shadowing.
Adventures with an Extreme Polyglot: Excerpt from 'Babel No More'|Michael Erard|January 10, 2012|DAILY BEAST

Tuesday, the pirates launched a rocket-propelled grenade at the American destroyer that was shadowing the distressed Quest.
How the Somali Pirate Victims Became Martyrs|Eliza Griswold|February 23, 2011|DAILY BEAST
They separated, and both kept in sight of the man, who did not seem to fear pursuit or dream any one was shadowing him.
Frank Merriwell Down South|Burt L. Standish
On Monday he began his shadowing of Archer, lest the latter should go to town that day.
The Pit Prop Syndicate|Freeman Wills Crofts
It was like disappointing an eager child, and watching the shadowing of the happy face.
A Question of Marriage|Mrs. George de Horne Vaizey
Among them Hiero, like the mighty men of old, girds himself for fight, and the horse-hair crest is shadowing his helmet.
Theocritus, Bion and Moschus|Theocritus
He was shadowing the suspected party, and if he deemed it 110 necessary, he would call on the mayor for assistance.
The Telegraph Messenger Boy|Edward S. Ellis

British Dictionary definitions for shadowing

shadow

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 Formsshadower, 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

Word Origin and History for shadowing

shadow

Old English sceadwe, sceaduwe "the effect of interception of sunlight, dark image cast by someone or something when interposed between an object and a source of light," oblique cases ("to the," "from the," "of the," "in the") of sceadu (see shade (n.)). Shadow is to shade (n.) as meadow is to mead (n.2). Cf. Old Saxon skado, Middle Dutch schaeduwe, Dutch schaduw, Old High German scato, German schatten, Gothic skadus "shadow, shade."

From mid-13c. as "darkened area created by shadows, shade." From early 13c. in sense "anything unreal;" mid-14c. as "a ghost;" late 14c. as "a foreshadowing, prefiguration." Meaning "imitation, copy" is from 1690s. Sense of "the faintest trace" is from 1580s; that of "a spy who follows" is from 1859.

As a designation of members of an opposition party chosen as counterparts of the government in power, it is recorded from 1906. Shadow of Death (c.1200) translates Vulgate umbra mortis (Ps. xxiii:4, etc.), which itself translates Greek skia thanatou, perhaps a mistranslation of a Hebrew word for "intense darkness." In "Beowulf," Gendel is a sceadugenga, a shadow-goer, and another word for "darkness" is sceaduhelm. To be afraid of one's (own) shadow "be very timorous" is from 1580s.

shadow

Middle English schadowen, Kentish ssedwi, from late Old English sceadwian "to protect as with covering wings" (cf. also overshadow), from the root of shadow (n.). Cf. Old Saxon skadoian, Dutch schaduwen, Old High German scatewen, German (über)schatten. From mid-14c. as "provide shade;" late 14c. as "cast a shadow over" (literal and figurative), from early 15c. as "darken" (in illustration, etc.). Meaning "to follow like a shadow" is from c.1600 in an isolated instance; not attested again until 1872. Related: Shadowed; shadowing.

Idioms and Phrases with shadowing

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

shadowing

noun Cytology, Histology.

RELATED CONTENT

RELATED WORDS

Nearby words

Origin of shadowing

shadow

noun

verb (used with object)

adjective

Origin of shadow

Synonym study

Examples from the Web for shadowing

shadow

noun

verb (tr)

Word Origin for shadow

shadow

shadow

shadow