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shadow

PRIMARY MEANINGS OF: shadow

1
nv
shade within clear boundaries
cast a shadow over
2
nv
something existing in perception only
make appear small by comparison
3
nv
a spy employed to follow someone and report their movements
follow, usually without the person's knowledge
FULL DEFINITIONS OF: shadow
1

n shade within clear boundaries

Types:
umbra
a region of complete shadow resulting from total obstruction of light
penumbra
a fringe region of partial shadow around an umbra
Type of:
shade, shadiness, shadowiness
relative darkness caused by light rays being intercepted by an opaque body

n an unilluminated area

Synonyms:
dark, darkness
Type of:
scene
the place where some action occurs

v cast a shadow over

Synonyms:
shade, shade off
Type of:
darken
make dark or darker
2

n something existing in perception only

Synonyms:
apparition, fantasm, phantasm, phantasma, phantom
Types:
UFO, flying saucer, unidentified flying object
an (apparently) flying object whose nature is unknown; especially those considered to have extraterrestrial origins
Flying Dutchman
a phantom ship that is said to appear in storms near the Cape of Good Hope
ghost, shade, specter, spectre, spook, wraith
a mental representation of some haunting experience
Type of:
illusion, semblance
an erroneous mental representation

n a dominating and pervasive presence

“he received little recognition working in the shadow of his father”
Type of:
presence
the state of being present; current existence

n refuge from danger or observation

“he felt secure in his father's shadow
Type of:
recourse, refuge, resort
something or someone turned to for assistance or security

n an indication that something has been present

Synonyms:
tincture, trace, vestige
Types:
footprint
a trace suggesting that something was once present or felt or otherwise important
Type of:
indicant, indication
something that serves to indicate or suggest

n a premonition of something adverse

“a shadow over his happiness”
Type of:
boding, foreboding, premonition, presentiment
a feeling of evil to come

v make appear small by comparison

Synonyms:
dwarf, overshadow
Type of:
command, dominate, overlook, overtop
look down on
3

n a spy employed to follow someone and report their movements

Synonyms:
shadower, tail
Type of:
follower
someone who travels behind or pursues another
spy
a secret watcher; someone who secretly watches other people

n an inseparable companion

“the poor child was his mother's shadow
Type of:
follower
someone who travels behind or pursues another

v follow, usually without the person's knowledge

“The police are shadowing her”
Type of:
follow
to travel behind, go after, come after
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