shadow Definition

shadow
noun

1. A dark shape cast on a surface when an object stands between the surface and the source of light.
2. An area darkened by the blocking out of light.
3. The darker areas of a picture.
4. A slight amount; a hint or trace.

Example: without a shadow of a doubt
5. A sense of gloom, trouble or foreboding.

Example: The incident cast a shadow over the proceedings
6. A weakened person or thing which has wasted away to almost nothing.

Example: She's a shadow of her former self
7. A constant companion.
8. A person following another closely and secretively, especially a spy or detective.
9. A ghost or spirit.

verb shadowed, shadowing

1. To put into darkness by blocking out light.

Thesaurus: shade, dim, darken, obscure.
2. To cloud or darken.
3. To follow closely and secretively.

Thesaurus: watch, trail, tail, follow, stalk, pursue, dog.

adj

1. politics.
In the main opposition party: denoting a political counterpart to a member or section of the government.
Example: shadow Foreign Secretary

Idiom: afraid of one's own shadow

Extremely or excessively timid.

Etymology: Anglo-Saxon sceadwe, accusative case of sceadu shade.