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Webster's Dictionary (1865)

2 entries under this word

Shadow

Shād'ōw, n.

noun

n. [A-S. scadu, gen. scaduwes. See SHADE.]

  1. Shade within defined limits; obscurity or deprivation of light, apparent on a surface, and representing the form of the body which intercepts the rays of light; as, the shadow of a man, of a tree, or a tower.
  2. Darkness; shade; obscurity.

Night's sable shadows from the ocean rise. Denham. 3. Obscure place; secluded retreat; shelter; cover; protection; security. In secret shadow from the sunny ray, On a sweet bed of lilies softly laid. Spencer.

  1. The darker or less illuminated part of a picture; representation of comparative deficiency or absence of light.
  2. That which follows or attends a person or thing, like a shadow; an inseparable companion. “Sin and her shadow, Death, and Misery.” Milton.
  3. A spirit; a ghost; a shade. [Obs.]
  4. An imperfect and faint representation; adumbration; indistinct image; dim bodying forth; hence, mystical representation; type. “The law having a shadow of good things to come.” Heb. x. 1. “Types and shadows of that destined seed.” Milton.
  5. That which is unreal; something unsubstantial; phantom; mockery. “Horrible shadow! unreal mockery!” Shak.
  6. An uninvited guest coming with one who is invited. [A Latinism.]

I must not have my board pestered with shadows That under other men's protection break in Without invitement. Massinger. Shadow of death, terrible darkness, trouble, or death.

Shād'ōw, v. t.

verbtransitive

v. t. [imp. & p. p. SHADOWED; p. pr. & vb. n. SHADOWING.]

Sense 1. To cut off light from; to put in shade; to shade; to overspread with obscurity.

The warlike elf much wondered at this tree, So fair and great, that shadowed all the ground. Spencer.

Sense 2. To conceal; to hide; to screen. [Rare.]

Let every soldier hew him down a bough, And bear 't before him; thereby shall we shadow The number of our host. Shak.

Sense 3. To protect; to screen from danger; to shroud.

Shadowing their right under your wings of war. Shak.

Sense 4. To paint in obscure colors. “Void spaces which are deeply shadowed.” Dryden.

Sense 5. To mark with slight gradations of color or light; to shade.

Sense 6. To represent faintly or imperfectly; to adumbrate; to body forth; hence, to represent typically.

Augustus is shadowed in the person of Æneas. Dryden.

Sense 7. To cloud; to darken. “The shadowed livery of the burning sun.” Shak.

Sense 8. To attend as closely as a shadow; to follow closely, especially in a secret or unobserved manner.