penumbra

Meaning

Noun

  • A partially shaded area around the edges of a shadow, especially an eclipse.
  • A region around the edge of a sunspot, darker than the sun's surface but lighter than the middle of the sunspot.
  • An area of uncertainty or intermediacy between two mutually exclusive states or categories.
  • An area that lies on the edge of something; a fringe.
  • Something related to, connected to, and implied by, the existence of something else that is necessary for the second thing to be full and complete in its essential aspects.
  • A region of the brain that has lost only some of its blood supply, and retains structural integrity but has lost function.

Related

Similar words

Origin

  • From New Latin penumbra, from Latin paene + umbra.

Modern English dictionary

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